State Senator John D. Johnson says universities should place academic rigor and intellectual diversity above political ideology, but his original bill S.B. 283 “Prohibiting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Higher Education” was a case study in sacrificing intellectual diversity on the altar of a political agenda.

To his credit, Sen. Johnson then remembered that academic rigor demands scrutiny of ideas, not suppression of them. He reframed the bill as a “Study” instead of outright banning certain topics and personnel at public universities. This improvement allows citizens to understand inclusion efforts at Utah’s universities before deciding where the real threat lies.

I am a diversity and inclusion officer in the College of Humanities at Brigham Young University. I do not speak for my employer or colleagues but if Sen. Johnson wants to know what my job entails, the answer is not indoctrinating students in select political beliefs and tactics. Rather, I believe every student should have opportunities to be heard, receive individualized support, engage in honest dialogue and help build community.

This year our college heard from a panel of neurodivergent students who displayed wonderful self-awareness, humor and goodwill while sharing an unvarnished glimpse into the lives of autistic college students. The panelists agreed with each other on some points and other times expressed very different preferences. Their individuality reminded us to ask questions instead of making presumptions, explore difference rather than fear it, and learn to offer better support and connection. Such outcomes transcend the political and even the academic and intellectual, showing higher education’s potential to improve our thinking and expand our humanity. 

Bruce Haraguchi, Provo

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