TOPEKA — The Kansas Board of Regents on Friday adopted formal definitions of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and critical race theory (CRT) to meet a legislative requirement tied to a $12 million appropriation for six state universities, a move critics say is vague and may chill classroom discussion.
The Legislature attached language to the 2026 budget that conditions $2 million in the current fiscal year for each of the six universities — Pittsburg State University, University of Kansas, Kansas State University, Wichita State University, Fort Hays State University and Emporia State University — on the Board’s adoption of definitions for DEI and CRT and on a stated promise that students will not be required to study those subjects to earn a degree.
What the board approved and why it matters
John Yeary, interim president and CEO of the Kansas Board of Regents, said reaching agreement was difficult.
"There were lots of competing ideas and interests. Those have all been weighed and vetted," Yeary said.
Advocates for academic freedom criticized the outcome. Amy Reid, program director for the Freedom to Learn program at PEN America, called the Legislature’s constraint and the Board’s response an "affront to academic freedom" and said the definitions the Board adopted were "vague and confusing." She said the restrictions could stifle "important classroom conversations about race and social inequity."
Which campuses are affected
| University | Allocation (current fiscal year) |
|---|---|
| Pittsburg State University | $2 million |
| University of Kansas | $2 million |
| Kansas State University | $2 million |
| Wichita State University | $2 million |
| Fort Hays State University | $2 million |
| Emporia State University | $2 million |
The Regents’ statement, approved to comply with House Bill 2513, was developed as the board sought a consensus position on how university faculty and students should address DEI and CRT in classrooms. The source material did not publish the board’s exact language in full; officials described the process as balancing competing perspectives.
Concerns from faculty and free-speech groups
Reid and others warn that statutory or board-set limits on curricular content can have practical effects on course design, faculty hiring and campus programming.
- Academic groups say broad or imprecise definitions can be enforced unevenly.
- Faculty members may avoid assigning certain readings or framing discussions for fear of violating policy.
- Students could see fewer course offerings that critically examine race and institutional inequities.
Supporters of the legislative language say the measures ensure students are not compelled to endorse particular viewpoints as a condition of graduation. The Board framed its vote as a necessary step to preserve funding for the state system while navigating intense political disagreement.
What happens next
The Board of Regents’ definitions satisfy the budget requirement for the current fiscal year allocations, but debate is likely to continue on campus and in the Statehouse. The story raises questions about how the definitions will be implemented by individual institutions and whether they will face legal or administrative challenges going forward.
Residents and university community members seeking more information should watch for the Regents to publish the approved statement in full and for campus administrations to outline any immediate policy changes affecting courses or programs.
(Reporting by the News Block Kansas desk.)
