The University of South Carolina mandated students to uphold the value of “diversity and inclusion” as part of a mandatory training this past summer. Diversity programs have recently faced increasing degrees of public criticism and have brought about concerns regarding compelled speech at an institution of higher learning that markets itself as a hub for freedom of expression
In a module on “Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging,” which featured 10 multiple choice questions, the training specifically asked students how “diversity and inclusion help create a healthy, positive campus environment.” Students who indicated these values do not foster such an environment or that they give “unfair advantages” to “people from marginalized identity groups” were informed that their answers were “incorrect,” per screenshots shared with the Washington Free Beacon by pro-free speech watchdog organization Speech First.
The correct answer was that “diversity and inclusion exposes students to people from different backgrounds, thus enriching the overall campus experience.”
Students needed to get at least 80% of the 10 questions right in order to pass the training and be able to register for classes, per the screenshots.
Cherise Trump, the executive director of Speech First, argued that the mandate was “a blatant attempt at coercive brainwashing.”
“Students here are clearly expected to maintain a certain viewpoint designated by the state school or else they risk losing access to courses,” Trump said to the Free Beacon. “Online modules like the one at University of South Carolina clearly work against the spirit of the First Amendment.”
When university spokesman Jeffrey Stensland was contacted about Trump’s concerns, he contended that the diversity module was “optional, not mandatory,” and that students only needed to finish units concerning alcohol and sexual assault. However, an online portal for USC’s 35,000 students contradicted Stensland’s statement, highlighting that the diversity unit is “required” for all undergraduates.
In emails, USC staff also warned students that “registration holds will take effect if you do not complete” the module, which an outside vendor, Vector Solutions, set up and features lessons on “allyship,” “privilege,” and “cultural appropriation.”
“You are receiving this email because you have not yet completed all of the Required Community Education modules,” the emails highlighted. “Completion of your courses is required for all students at the University of South Carolina.”
Due to constant pressure from state elected officials, in 2023 USC renamed its main diversity office to avoid the terms “diversity,” “equity,” and “inclusion.”
Despite such pressures, the university still features a training that basically forces students to accept several propositions with the aim of regulating speech and micromanaging relationships, removing points for answers that are considered to be insensitive, politically incorrect, or bigoted.
Universities in the US have turned into breeding grounds for radical anti-white policies. Despite some victories here and there in red states, universities still maintain their leftist character. Nevertheless, the fight against cultural leftism is far from over. Right-wingers must continue putting their feet on the pedal to ensure that such noxious influences are purged out of universities.
Losing higher education to the Left is unacceptable, and will only guarantee that the elite of tomorrow will be a bunch of leftist automatons.