North Cook News

State Rep. Tom Morrison (R-Palatine) is encouraging the University of Illinois administration and board of trustee officials to overrule a provost’s policy that would require proof of engagement in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) training for faculty members.

“This policy might seem innocuous to some based on the title of the training, but the consequence is that Illinois' faculty will become less diverse and inclusive of individuals who do not toe the leftist ideological line – a line that is constantly shifting and often defies logic,” Morrison told the North Cook News. “Critical thought, debate, exposure to alternative viewpoints and respect for contrary opinions is supposed to be part of the university experience. However, this policy will softly incentivize conformity of thought and gradually push out competent professors across the political spectrum who will not tolerate the intolerance that DEI proponents are hypocritically putting into place.”

In an announcement made by the Office of the Provost, faculty members were recently informed the “promotion and tenure process for tenure-stream faculty members” will serve to “reflect the evolving strategic priorities and current practices” of the university.

Though school officials contend professors interested or seeking tenure “not be penalized if they are not doing DEI work,” the school’s primary source for information on its tenure policy says faculty will “still need to prepare the DEI statement so that they can think about what they are already doing around DEI and what they will do in the future.”

Morrison is not surprised by some of the latest developments.

“I'm not surprised to see a report like this, but it's disturbing nonetheless,” he said. “The U of I administration and board of trustees needs to step in and overrule the provost's policy. We're not in the 1920s anymore. The University of Illinois already has among the most diverse student and faculty populations in terms of sex, race, religion, ethnicities, and every other category one could think of. DEI training would make the campus less diverse in terms of ideological thought and expression.

Morrison argues to continue on the track being proposed only serves to put the state’s future at greater risk. 

“The students of today will be the leaders of tomorrow,” he said. “If Illinois wants to continue to have a world-class university that attracts top professors and produces students who are well-formed and prepared thinkers and movers, it should abandon this and similar policies. I would urge parents of U. of I. students and alumni to get involved and make their opinions heard.”