The latest audit of public colleges in Texas, which assesses adherence to the state’s ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, has found no violations among the University of Texas System and 15 community colleges. This comes amid ongoing accusations from conservative activists who allege that some institutions are merely rebranding their DEI efforts.
The report from the State Auditor’s Office specifically evaluated whether these institutions misused state funds in contravention of Senate Bill 17. This legislation, enacted in 2023, mandates that public colleges eliminate DEI offices, discontinue mandatory DEI training, and refrain from incorporating diversity statements in hiring processes.
While the audit did not disclose detailed findings for each institution, it briefly mentioned private communications between auditors and university officials. Randa Safady, the vice chancellor for external relations at the UT System, clarified that such communications do not imply any substantive issues were found, but rather reflect inquiries for clarification on processes.
In response to the DEI ban, UT institutions have adjusted their staffing, programs, and expenditures. Safady noted that the system has revised its policies and confirmed compliance to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
The audit, which was first highlighted by KXAN, encompassed all 14 institutions within the UT System, along with 15 community colleges, including notable ones such as Austin Community College District and Texas A&M University-Central Texas.
Austin Community College District, which serves nearly 44,000 students, reaffirmed its commitment to lawful practices aimed at supporting student success. Sydney Pruitt, senior media relations coordinator, stated that the college will continue to prioritize effective, student-centered approaches.
The auditors conducted interviews with college personnel and examined state-funded expenditures from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025. Their review spanned hiring records, job postings, promotions, training programs, and various documents associated with previous DEI offices.
It is important to note that the audit’s conclusions should not be interpreted as comprehensive evaluations of every record at each institution. For instance, at UT-Austin, auditors analyzed a limited sample of 25 employees, new hires, and promotions out of thousands available.
In a previous audit released in February 2025, the State Auditor’s Office identified compliance issues at Texas A&M University-Central Texas, which contracted a vendor to perform DEI-related duties, and McLennan Community College, which mandated DEI training for a new employee.
Throughout the previous year, Republican leaders expressed concerns about universities’ compliance with the DEI ban, with Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick threatening budget reductions for noncompliant institutions. GOP senators also hinted at blocking funding increases due to alleged violations, although they did not disclose specific instances.
In response to these concerns, lawmakers established an expedited complaint investigation process by creating an ombudsman office. This office is tasked with addressing written complaints regarding potential DEI violations and must inform a school’s governing board within five days of receiving a valid complaint. It can recommend halting state funding until the issue is rectified.
As of mid-March, public records indicate that none of Texas’ eight public university systems had received formal complaints from this new ombudsman office.
External groups have also intensified scrutiny. Accuracy in Media, a conservative organization known for its undercover investigations, recently released videos featuring employees from UT-Austin and UT-Arlington discussing the impact of the DEI ban. In one instance, a UT-Austin employee noted that while the ban increased workload, it did not alter academic content.
In response to these revelations, UT-Austin officials did not immediately comment, while UT-Arlington confirmed that an investigation was initiated following the video’s release. Jeff Kaplan, the university’s media relations director, stated that the comments made in the video do not reflect university policy and that the employee involved is no longer with the institution.
Safady emphasized that any allegations implying noncompliance with the law are thoroughly investigated to ensure adherence to legal standards. It is worth noting that academic instruction and scholarly research remain exempt from the DEI ban.
