A recent Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) report revealed that the University System of Georgia invested millions in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives before state budget cuts earlier this year. The report stemmed from a nearly 200-page response by System Chancellor Sonny Perdue to Georgia's Republican Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who inquired about DEI expenditures following a $66 million reduction in the system's funding.
While calculating a precise total for DEI spending across all 26 institutions proved challenging based on Perdue's response, the AJC report highlighted "millions of dollars in salaries for diversity staff" and "millions for need-based student aid and programs that Perdue claimed meet federal requirements."
The image above shows the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta. (Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Perdue's response detailed specific DEI-related expenses at various universities. For example, Georgia Southern University's vice president for inclusive excellence earned $189,000 annually, while Georgia Tech's vice president of institute diversity, equity, and inclusion, overseeing a staff of 79 (66 full-time, 7 part-time, and 6 federally mandated positions), managed an $8 million annual DEI program. The response also mentioned initiatives supporting students from rural and migrant backgrounds, veterans, women pursuing science fields, first-generation college students, and students with disabilities.
The budget cuts, approved in March, drew strong criticism from Perdue, a former Republican governor of Georgia and Trump administration Agriculture Secretary. He deemed the cuts "incredibly disappointing." Lt. Gov. Jones has publicly questioned the judicious use of taxpayer funds for DEI programs, echoing concerns raised by other Republican lawmakers nationwide. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed legislation prohibiting public colleges from using state funds for DEI, and Texas Governor Greg Abbott enacted a law banning DEI offices and initiatives in state institutions.
This image shows then-candidate for Georgia lieutenant governor Burt Jones speaking at a campaign event. (Elijah Nouvelage/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
This image depicts Sonny Perdue, then-U.S. secretary of agriculture. (Dustin Chambers/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
According to the AJC, Jones' staff is still reviewing Perdue's comprehensive response.
