Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed a new law requiring all state-funded colleges and universities in Texas to shut down their diversity, equity, and inclusion offices.

The law coincides with an anticipated Supreme Court decision to ban colleges and universities from considering race in admissions decisions. Other states like Florida have passed similar laws.

Institutions failing to comply with the law will be unable to spend state funds allocated to them. Additionally, the law mandates biennial studies on the impact of the measure on students, examining factors such as application rates, acceptance, retention, and graduation, without providing an explicit rationale for these studies.

Critics argue that the law undermines diversity efforts, while proponents assert that it promotes a merit-based approach. The decision has drawn criticism from organizations advocating for diversity and inclusion, emphasizing the benefits of a diverse student body for all students.