San Diego State University: University Senate Adopts Policy Imposing DEI Requirement in Reappointment, Tenure, and Promotion Review Process

On September 6, 2022, the University Senate at San Diego State University voted to impose new criteria for faculty reappointment, tenure, and promotion review that require faculty to write about their commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The senate, whose members are primarily faculty, adopted changes that increased the DEI component of the review process from optional to a requirement that faculty engage in and write about activities that comport with SDSU’s views on DEI as a condition for career advancement. On November 11, FIRE wrote SDSU warning that the requirement threatens faculty academic freedom and urged the university to reverse the changes. SDSU did not respond to FIRE’s letter.