Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Research and Resources: South Carolina

In June 2023, State Sen. Daniel Verdin, a Republican, introduced a bill that would ban mandatory diversity training as well as diversity statements in admissions or hiring. It also would prohibit public colleges from granting preference in hiring and admissions based on an applicant's race, sex, ethnicity, or national origin. The bill failed to pass before the end of the legislative session.

In January 2024, State Rep. Thomas Beach, a Republican, introduced a bill that would prohibit public colleges from conducting training “designed or implemented in reference to race, color, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation,” and from establishing or maintaining an office whose purpose, “in whole or in part,” is to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. The bill would also prohibit colleges from requiring employees or applicants to attend diversity, equity, and inclusion training or to provide a diversity statement as a condition of employment or admission, and they could not receive preference on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. The bill failed to pass before the end of the legislative session.

In April 2023, State Reps. Timothy McGinnis, Shannon Erickson, and Nathan Ballentine, all Republicans, introduced a bill that would ban diversity statements from consideration in hiring and admissions. On March 27, 2024, the bill passed the House, but it failed to advance before the end of the legislative session.

In April 2023, State Reps. Josiah Magnuson, Adam Morgan, T. Alan Morgan, Jordan Pace, Robert May, and John Gregory Kilmartin, all Republicans, introduced a bill that would require colleges to submit annual reports on DEI spending, and, among other things, ban mandatory diversity training and diversity statements. The bill failed to pass before the end of the legislative session.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The South Carolina House has passed a bill to restrict diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at public colleges and universities over the objections of Black lawmakers who said they weren’t included in crafting the proposal.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A new push at the State House targets efforts to promote diversity on South Carolina’s college campuses.

Supporters of H.4289 said they want to ensure merit guides higher education, but some students and staff fear their proposal could have detrimental impacts.

The bill focuses on initiatives and programs aimed at promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, also known as DEI, at South Carolina’s public colleges and universities.

These programs have become a target in recent years in red states, including now in South Car

COLUMBIA — Republicans pushed a bill through the South Carolina House that prohibits public colleges from factoring applicants’ political stances into hiring, firing and admission decisions but does not ban their diversity programs.