Arizona Senate leader calls for federal meeting on DEI ‘window dressing’ at state colleges
Arizona state Senate President Warren Petersen is taking a stand against what he sees as a campus crisis of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the Grand Canyon State. In an exclusive statement, Petersen announced his intention to write to Education Secretary Linda McMahon to discuss the proliferation of DEI programs in Arizona’s public universities.
Petersen, a Republican from Gilbert, praised the Trump administration for prioritizing the end of what he called “un-American propaganda” on college campuses, including DEI initiatives. He expressed concern that university officials have been indoctrinating students with anti-American sentiments and fostering discrimination. Petersen highlighted the failure of some institutions to defend Jewish students who have been targeted.
“I was extremely heartened to learn that your department is holding universities accountable for their refusal to conform to existing laws blocking any institution from receiving federal funding due to discrimination,” Petersen wrote in his letter to McMahon. He pointed out that schools like Arizona State University have been under federal investigation for not complying with anti-discrimination laws.
Petersen cited examples of DEI programs in Arizona universities, such as job postings that prioritize DEI commitments, mandatory trainings that promote discriminatory ideas, and required courses like ‘Introduction to Queer Studies’ and ‘Multicultural Perspectives of Natural Resource Management.’ He expressed concern that these programs are using taxpayer dollars to push divisive ideologies.
In light of these issues, Petersen requested a meeting with McMahon to discuss how the Department of Education can enforce anti-discrimination laws and hold universities accountable for non-compliance. He emphasized the need for meaningful reforms, rather than superficial changes that do not address the root causes of discrimination on campus.
In response to Petersen’s concerns, Arizona State University officials have stated that they are no longer affiliated with the program that was flagged by federal investigators. However, Petersen remains committed to ensuring that all Arizona colleges are held to the highest standards of inclusivity and non-discrimination.
Petersen’s efforts to address the proliferation of DEI initiatives in Arizona’s public universities reflect a growing concern about the impact of divisive ideologies on college campuses. By calling for greater accountability and transparency in DEI programs, Petersen is working to protect the rights and freedoms of all students in the state.
