Kansas lawmakers have announced the release of $35.7 million in funding for higher education institutions in the state, following a recent agreement that these institutions will comply with a new ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
The funding was previously withheld by lawmakers due to concerns over the implementation of DEI programs in Kansas colleges and universities. Last year, the Kansas Legislature passed a bill that prohibited the use of taxpayer funds to support DEI initiatives, which led to a stalemate over the allocation of funding for higher education institutions.
However, following a agreement between the state’s Board of Regents and lawmakers, the institutions have agreed to comply with the new law and discontinue their DEI initiatives. As part of the agreement, the state will release the previously withheld funding to support the operations and programs of the colleges and universities.
The money will be used to support various initiatives, including student scholarships, faculty development, and capital projects. The funding is a significant boost to the state’s higher education institutions, which have been facing budget cuts and reduced funding in recent years.
“We are pleased to see that the impasse has been resolved, and we are looking forward to working with the institutions to ensure that the funding is used to benefit the students and communities of Kansas,” said a spokesperson for the Kansas State Legislature.
The release of funding comes at a critical time for Kansas’ higher education system, which has been struggling to cope with declining enrollment and funding. The state’s higher education institutions have been working to adapt to the new law and ensure that they are in compliance with the DEI ban.
While some have expressed concerns over the impact of the ban on diversity and inclusion on campus, the state’s officials have maintained that the measures are necessary to ensure that higher education institutions are focused on providing quality education to students, rather than promoting “ideological agendas.”