Sunday, June 18, 2023

Bill Crawford: University Voices Ignored in State Auditor's DEI Report

 Mississippi State University’s access, diversity, and inclusion expenditures “represent a necessary and appropriate investment in Mississippi’s future,” President Mark Keenum told the Magnolia Tribune.  

State Auditor Shad White views such programs as divisive. 

Dr. Keenum said MSU’s program was “designed to increase higher education access and degree completion for underrepresented students, which is a necessity at Mississippi’s leading research university.” He added that it “not only seeks to assist those students, but also empowers military veterans, first-generation students, former foster home students, students with a myriad of disabilities, Native American students, and others with a program goal of growing student success and degree attainment to help them lead more productive lives.” 

Auditor White appears to see himself as a Mississippi version of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former President Donald Trump. He cited their voices as ones he listens to rather than esteemed voices of experience and reason like Dr. Keenum’s. 

That prompted White to say he has “real concerns” about IHL’s various diversity, equity, and inclusion programs when he released his 322 page report last week on their DEI expenditures. 

Yet, his report documented no such concerns. 

“Our diversity and inclusion programs create a welcoming environment for all students and promote an essential sense of belonging across a wide spectrum of underrepresented groups,” Ole Miss Chancellor Glenn Boyce told the Magnolia Tribune. “This work enables all of our students to lead and make a difference in the diverse environments that they will encounter in their careers and communities.”

IHL Commissioner Al Rankins, Jr. explained to the Magnolia Tribune that “campus diversity initiatives include sexual assault awareness and prevention programs, music festivals, study abroad programs, student health and wellness programs, Veterans Day Recognition programs, recruitment and retention of non-Black students at our HBCUs as mandated by the Ayers settlement, and federally funded programs like the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program.”

The Auditor’s report showed $23 million spent over four years on the wide range of programs the IHL leaders described; $11 million came from state funds. 

While he may certainly question amounts spent, White has produced no audit or objective basis to claim the IHL programs are divisive. 

Several leaders who have praised the Auditor’s anti-corruption activities expressed surprise over his decision to tilt at DEI windmills. “It’s just hard to shake the feeling that he’s tackling the topic to score political points,” wrote Enterprise-Journal editor Jack Ryan.

There is likely more to come. Expect White to champion anti-DEI bills in the next legislative session. 

Thanks to Ann Summerhays at the Magnolia Tribune for printing IHL leaders’ descriptions of their programs. None were included in White’s report or emails to his supporters.

“Show me the path where I should go, O Lord” – Psalm 24:4.

Crawford is a syndicated columnist from Jackson.


37 comments:

Anonymous said...

Several leaders who have praised the Auditor’s anti-corruption activities expressed surprise over his decision to tilt at DEI windmills. “It’s just hard to shake the feeling that he’s tackling the topic to score political points,” wrote Enterprise-Journal editor Jack Ryan.

"Journalists" are not leaders.

Anonymous said...

Auditor White’s social philosophy as a bigot against inclusion is becoming more & more apparent. Is it a facade to obtain higher office or is he a bigot?

Anonymous said...

More shit-carrying of the Leftist/Marxist/Communist mantra by Crawford.

Keenum’s diversity agendas in nothing more of a hijacking of equal opportunity for all. It’s affirmative action of steroids and does nothing but undermine the accomplishments of anyone with a diverse background or disability for the past 55 years.

All Keenum is doing is further dumbing-down his already low-performing University.

Cow bells and dummies. It’s the MSU way.

Anonymous said...

My kids go to these public universities. The rhetoric from the programs is not one of inclusivity. In fact, if you are of a certain race you are made to feel guilt, shame, and fault for historic events that have led us to where we are today. Maybe they can start calling the GSF program. Make no mistake, these efforts only serve to further divide our already fractious country. I don’t care what university leaders who are TERRIFIED of their faculty say in the press.

Anonymous said...

These university leaders are whitewashing what is being taught in the DEI curriculum.
You know it and I know it.

Sol Juette said...

Their rhetoric and praise for such nonsense shows we ain't got long. The devil will make you betray everything to keep your status and power. May God have mercy on these people for supporting DEI!

Anonymous said...

IHL is the governing body of our public universities. They allow this. They are the same ones who granted tenure to the sociology professor that advocated sticking fingers in politicians good. They suck. Al Rankins sucks.

Anonymous said...

9:54 at least we’re not as bad as Ole Miss.

Anonymous said...

Let me teach y’all something. Tenure and academic freedom are concepts developed because politicians would fire educators for taking unpopular positions at the time. It wasn’t always racial. Sometimes the faculty would support the losing candidate for Governor. Make no mistake—this is the beginning of the same type of movement. Those that want DEI will put this in the same category. But they don’t want dissent. They don’t want a marketplace of ideas. They want control and if you aren’t with them, you are cancelled.

And yes. Al Rankins is a total joke (who makes $400K a year).

Anonymous said...

11:15 - Both are equally bad. Those schools are made up of extremely average students, but seem more and more to excel at having an agenda that Mao or Hitler would approve of. Leftist, radial ideology has no place in higher education.

Anonymous said...

" ...military veterans, first-generation students, former foster home students, students with a myriad of disabilities, Native American students, and 'others'... "

WHY EVEN TRY to mention all the categories? He left out DOZENS of others... Blacks, Asians, Blind/Deaf & Dumb, et al.

Why even try to play DEI? It would be easier and all encompassing to only list those WHO ARE NOT INCLUDED... which really should't be anyone, right? This has become an unbelievably stupid game.

Anonymous said...

Keenum is as polished a politician as you'll ever find. He and his wife were steeped in Washington for years. He's just trying to play both sides of the fence, and will decide later which side he comes down on when it comes to money.

Anonymous said...

Elected officials at every level along with the popular media are so good at hyping narratives and this applies to both sides. Yes, there is DEI crap at our public universities and if you go looking for it, you will find some of the radical crazies on campus, but 95% of students at our universities never have to deal with this mess if they major in a traditional area of study. I've had three kids go through Mississippi public universities ecently, majoring in accounting, language disorders and kinesiology, and never did they encounter any of this mess.

But Fox News, CNN and the Facebook warriors act like DEI on campus is the be-all, end-all. It is not.

Anonymous said...

Segregation is ok.
Racial preferences are good.
Discrimination is the way to go.

All of the above are never denounced as long it comes from blacks instituting it against whites.

This is what diversity, equity and inclusion programs represent.

Anonymous said...

12:29pm Ask your kids how their University Studies class went. All students take it.

Anonymous said...

Two of my degrees are from State. A decade ago, I thought Mark Keenum was a great fit for the job. Today, I might trade him for another round of Foglesong. He, through stances like this, is the #1 reason I’ve been redirecting my donations to other schools. Fourteen years is long enough in the job. You’ve proven that you’re no Donald Zacharias. Please move on, Mr. Keenum.

Anonymous said...

9:53 AM, indoctrinated leftists always resort to calling anyone they disagree with bigots, racists, etc. because you can’t win the debate - and name calling is your Saul Alinsky tactic.

Auditor White is no bigot, but if he were, being a bigot is better than being one of the many perverts running your leftist Democrat party that want to teach and talk to kindergarten children about sex.



“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea” - Mark 9:42.

Anonymous said...

Keenum pushes his socialist agenda on the state. As a two time graduate of MSU, I look forward to the next fund raising call from MSU as I will tell them they will never get another dime from me.

Anonymous said...

As an MSU grad from 40+ years ago I wish Keenum would refocus on academics rather than inclusiveness and enrollment numbers. MSU has the lowest academic rating we've ever had but we are happy to brag about enrollment numbers, well I believe those big numbers are coming a a huge cost. The value of every MSU diploma goes down as the academic ratings tank and I'll assure you nobody is going to give you preferential treatment in the job market because of the great DEI department at your school.

Anonymous said...

Bill Crawford really makes me miss James Tulp.

Anonymous said...

Shad better hope he gets elected Governor. He will never hold a position at any publicly traded company or any place that values inclusion or promotes equity - which is most of the businesses in America outside of the Deep South.

Guess if politics doesn't work out he can take Dougy Carswell's job or partner with Billy Quinn.

Anonymous said...

Shad's "views" on something don't matter. He's the head bean counter so he should concentrate on counting the damn beans. Period.

Anonymous said...

4:16, Shad will never work in the private sector. Ever. His type just can’t. Luckily he can parley his elected positions into 25 years and get paid the rest of his life.

Anonymous said...

So-called DEI initiatives have worked out well for MSU and Ole Miss. They have found a new revenue stream and they aren't really doing anything they weren't doing anyway. The joke is on Jackson State, Alcorn and Valley. Their traditional students and more money end up at MSU, UM and USM. Post-Ayers the HBCU's end up getting less of everything including enrollment. It's working fine for the IHL.

Anonymous said...

The only "voices" being ignored are those of the sensible, fair and hardworking majority being villainized while their children are being demented by this dishonest vomit.

Anonymous said...

2:22 nailed it. Keenum should be sacked.

Anonymous said...

History , is just dat, everyone is entitled to their own interpretation of facts and how you feel once those facts are presented to you. I am not trying to guilt check anyone but you can’t change history, that’s a fact!

Anonymous said...

^^^8:02

Anonymous said...

These posts are clear evidence of why such instruction is necessary.

Anonymous said...

Keenum apparently wasn't paying attention when InBev and Target went woke. Watch the donations dry up for MSU....but he was likely angling for federal dollars, so that's why he said it.

Anonymous said...

8:55 PM, history according to whom?

Government PIGs and media propagandists?

Surely you don’t think it’s a coincidence that history just happens to be presented in a manner that gets politician PIGs elected - via divide and conquer get folks mad enough to vote - do you?

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Anonymous said...

It is simple: Inclusion, sure. But not through Exclusion.

Anonymous said...

DEI is just Jesse Jackson and Al Sharptons “black mailing” brought out into the open and the same pressures being done in an official manner.

Anonymous said...

How much money could he have saved his own department had he not used staff to create a useless 300 page report on something that is really out of his realm of responsibility.

Anonymous said...

I for one am glad this report has been issued. Our tax dollars are being used to placate a very liberal agenda at public institutions. My son had a geography class at State and had to learn all about and regurgitate Bernie Sanders ideas to earn a good grade from his professor. Other than the technical classes this nonsense is pervasive.

The only way to curtail this waste, which isn't just limited to DEI programs is through the budget process. Funding is all the leaders in education understand.

Anonymous said...

Not only did I have to deal with early DEI (though not nearly as bad) in college, it's cost me well into the six figures later in life. As a former military officer with a master's degree and technical experience, I've literally worked for a former secretary with a high school diploma who could do no more than run some very basic software. But I'm a dreadful white male while she was a double minority. No, diversity is not your friend...not the DEI type that throws merit and hard work out the window.

Anonymous said...

Crawford is a joke - DEI is a joke- affirmative action is a joke-woke is a joke, all of these initiatives has taken past inequities and made them worse- living in the past will never help the present or the future.
All we are doing is creating new hate instead of living a life a certain Dr Dreamed about.


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