Rep. Brian Babin Criticizes DEI Spending in Universities, Urges Research Security Prioritization

Concerns Over Research Security Funding

• ⚠️ Taxpayer-funded research is a privilege, not a right, and institutions failing to protect it from foreign exploitation should not receive funding.
• 🎯 Implementing research security is presented as feasible, even with current funding levels, challenging the notion that it is too costly.

DEI Spending in Universities

• 💰 The growth of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs in universities has exploded over the last decade, outpacing faculty hiring.
• 📈 DEI staffing growth has not demonstrably increased black and Hispanic graduation rates, despite significant investment.
• 📊 Mandatory DEI curriculum at R1 and R2 universities is estimated to cost over $1.8 billion over four years, with average annual spending at R1 universities reaching $8.5 million.
• 💸 NSF alone allocates $2 billion for DEI-aligned STEM research, primarily benefiting R1 universities.

University DEI Investment Examples

• 🏢 The University of Michigan employs 241 DEI staff at an annual cost of $30.68 million.
• 📈 Ohio State University increased its DEI workforce from 88 employees ($7.3 million) to 189 employees ($20.38 million).
• 💼 DEI executive salaries frequently exceed faculty earnings, with some earning over $300,000 annually.

NSPM33 and Foreign Exploitation Risks

• ❓ Delays in implementing NSPM33 increase the risk of US taxpayer-funded research being compromised or transferred abroad.
• 🤝 Efforts are underway to harmonize disclosure requirements for federal research applicants and coordinate agency responses to foreign talent recruitment programs.
• ⚠️ The PRC government continuously changes the names of its foreign talent recruitment programs, necessitating consistent due diligence to counter these risks.