New North Dakota law bans mandatory diversity training in higher ed

Public colleges and universities in North Dakota can no longer require students or staff to undergo noncredit diversity, equity and inclusion training under a new law that takes effect Aug. 1.

The legislation, sponsored by six Republican state lawmakers, also bans mandatory diversity statements in hiring and admissions.

“An institution under the control of the state board of higher education may not ask the ideological or political viewpoint of a student, job applicant, job candidate, or candidate for promotion or tenure,” it states.

The North Dakota law came before the highly publicized new laws in Florida and Texas that ban DEI offices in higher education altogether. North Dakota’s legislation was not bragged on and garnered little attention, the Chronicle of Higher Education reported.