Institutional Responses to State Policies Targeting “Divisive” Higher Education Concepts: What Do Public Statements Suggest?

• In Event: Friday Roundtable Session 11:25 am
  In Roundtable Session: Tell Me What Matters to Your Institution Without Saying It Out Loud: Mission Statements, Resource Allocation, and Institutional Priorities (Table 34)

Abstract

U.S. higher education is facing an on-going assault via legislation targeting “divisive” concepts, such as teaching critical race theory and initiatives supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion across campus. Although attacks to foundational aspects of postsecondary education is not new, the current trend offers an opportunity to gain insights into how institutional stakeholders respond to these events and the ethical tensions these individuals may face. Using qualitative content analysis, this study examines publicly-available statements from four-year institutions in the American South, which has become an epicenter for these policies, and seeks to understand what characteristics influence differences in responses by stakeholders across state contexts.

Authors

• Paul G. Rubin, University of Utah

• Sara Thomas, Highline College

• Ali Watts, Bowling Green State University