The University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents has recommended a number of new and revised policies for its institutions, such as a commitment to institutional neutrality, a ban on DEI tactics, and mandatory education in the founding documents of the University System of Georgia. ‘America.

The University System of Georgia (USG) is compound of Georgia’s 26 public colleges and universities as well as the Archives of Georgia and the Georgia Public Library Service.

“Institutions of the United States government must remain neutral on social and political issues, unless such issue is directly related to the core mission of the institution,” the board’s proposed revisions read.

“Ideological tests, affirmations, and oaths, including statements about diversity,” will be prohibited in admissions processes and decisions, employment processes and decisions, and in institutional orientation and training for students and employees.

“No applicant for admission will be asked to adhere to or offer opinions on any political beliefs, affiliations, ideals or principles, as a condition of admission,” the new policy states.

Additionally, USG will hire based on the individual’s qualifications and abilities.

“The basis and determining factor” for employment will be “that the individual possesses the required knowledge, skills and abilities associated with the role, and is considered to have the ability to successfully perform the duties, responsibilities and essential duties associated with the role. position for which the person is being considered.

Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, the school’s civics curriculum will require students to study, among other things, America’s founding documents.

Students of American government will learn about the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights, the Articles of Confederation, the Federalist Papers, the Gettysburg Address, the Emancipation Proclamation, and Martin Luther King Jr.’s letter from Birmingham Jail, as well as the Georgia Constitution and Bill of Rights.

When reached for comment, the Board of Regents told Center Square that “these proposed updates strengthen USG’s academic communities.”

The recommended policies enable a campus environment “where people have the freedom to share their thoughts and learn from each other through objective inquiry and research” and “reflect an unwavering obligation to protect liberty, provide a quality higher education and promote student success. said the board of directors.

The board told Center Square that it proposed strengthening “civics education requirements” with the inclusion of “fundamental primary sources” because of higher education’s duty to students.

Colleges and universities “must prepare (students) to become contributing members of society and to understand the ideals of freedom and democracy that make America so exceptional,” the board said.

As for dropping the DEI, the board explained that “equal opportunity and merit-based decisions are core values ​​of USG.”

“The proposed revisions, among other things, would make clear that admission of students and hiring of employees should be based on a person’s qualifications, not their beliefs,” the board said.

The Board of Regents also said it wants to “ensure that (its) institutions remain neutral on social and political issues while modeling what they look like to promote diversity of viewpoints, create campus cultures where students and Teachers engage in civil discourse and the open exchange of ideas are the norm.

The USG Board of Regents recently exhorted NCAA to ban transgender-identifying men from participating in women’s sports, per NAIA rules, The Center Square previously reported.