On May 15, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation to defund diversity, equity and inclusion programs at all the state’s public colleges and universities, as well as allowing the state to get rid of programs, minors and majors that teach “identity politics”. 

DeSantis signed the legislation at New College of Florida, a liberal arts college that has gone through foundational changes by the DeSantis administration in an attempt to implement conservative values. 

The legislation states that general education courses, which are required, may not “distort significant historical events” or include “identity politics” in their curriculum. It also forbids teachings “based on theories that systemic racism, sexism, oppression, or privilege are inherent in the institutions of the United States and were created to maintain social, political, or economic inequities.”

Florida’s Board of Governors — the governing body for the State University System of Florida — is required to review programs and curriculums in public state universities and identify any in violation of the law, general education or not.

The laws will take effect on July 1.