Sen. Greg Dolezal Commends University System of Georgia for Eliminating DEI Standards in Admissions and Employment

ATLANTA (December 16, 2024) - Today, Sen. Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming) applauded the University System of Georgia (USG) Board of Regents for recommending to eliminate mandatory Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) statements as a criterion for student admissions and employee hiring. The proposed revision states, "All admissions processes and decisions shall be free of ideological tests, affirmations, and oaths, including diversity statements. No applicant for admission shall be asked to or required to affirmatively ascribe to or opine about political beliefs, affiliations, ideals, or principles, as a condition for admission."

Sen. Dolezal spoke of this recommendation, stating, "USG's decision to eliminate mandatory DEI statements from admissions and hiring processes is a victory for fairness and common sense. When I introduced Senate Bill 261 last year to ban political litmus tests in higher education, it was with the conviction that Georgia's public institutions must prioritize qualifications and merit above ideology.

I was deeply concerned to discover that respected institutions were requiring diversity statements that essentially forced applicants to pledge allegiance to a specific ideological framework. Such practices not only undermine the principles of equal opportunity but also stifle intellectual diversity, which is the cornerstone of academic excellence.

I commend Chancellor Sonny Perdue and the Board of Regents for taking decisive action to address this critical issue. By focusing on qualifications and ability rather than political or social ideologies, USG is setting a powerful example of institutional neutrality and accountability."

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Sen. Greg Dolezal serves as Chairman for the Senate Committee on Transportation. He represents the 27th Senate District, which includes a large part of Forsyth County. He may be reached by phone at 404.656.0040 or via email at [email protected]

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