DEI Still at University of Texas at Arlington

Texas taxpayers were promised accountability when lawmakers passed Senate Bill 17, a law designed to remove Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) bureaucracies from publicly funded universities. But a newly released undercover video suggests that, at least in practice, that promise is being undermined.

According to reporting from Texas Scorecard and an undercover investigation conducted by Accuracy in Media, a staff member within UT-Arlington’s social work program openly discussed how DEI ideology continues to be taught, just under different names. 

In the footage, the recruiter explains that while certain terms flagged by state law have been removed, the substance of the curriculum remains intact. Concepts once labeled “cultural competency” have reportedly been rebranded as “human service” training. Discussions around race and gender continue, simply without the terminology that might trigger scrutiny. 

Even more concerning, the staff member reportedly described faculty efforts as “pushing back” and causing “good trouble” in order to preserve DEI-aligned instruction despite legislative changes. 

This raises a fundamental question: if taxpayer-funded institutions can simply rename programs while keeping the same ideological framework, has anything actually changed?

A Pattern Across Texas Universities

This situation does not appear to be isolated. A similar undercover video at the University of North Texas revealed faculty acknowledging DEI remains “definitely still a focus,” even after state restrictions were enacted. 

In both cases, university staff indicated compliance with the law is largely superficial, focused on language rather than substance. The distinction matters, especially when public trust and taxpayer dollars are involved.

The Role of Accreditation Loopholes

Part of the issue lies in how Senate Bill 17 was written. The law includes exemptions for academic instruction and accreditation requirements. In UT-Arlington’s case, officials pointed to standards set by the Council on Social Work Education, which require training tied to concepts often associated with DEI. 

That creates a loophole large enough to drive an entire ideology through. Universities can claim compliance with state law while continuing to promote the same frameworks under the umbrella of accreditation.

Why This Matters for Texas Families

Texas families expect public institutions to reflect the values of neutrality, merit, and equal opportunity, not ideological activism. When universities appear to sidestep the law through rebranding, it erodes trust and raises serious concerns about oversight.

Public universities like UT-Arlington receive significant taxpayer funding and serve as training grounds for future educators, social workers, and leaders. If these institutions are continuing to embed ideological frameworks despite legislative action, then policymakers must ask whether current safeguards are sufficient.

This situation underscores the need for stronger enforcement, not just of the letter of the law, but its intent. Transparency, audits, and legislative clarity will be essential to ensure taxpayer-funded institutions are not operating in contradiction to state policy.

If DEI practices can simply be renamed and continue as usual, then Texas has not eliminated the problem, it has merely driven it underground.