Attorney General Ken Paxton has opened an investigation into whether the University of North Texas is teaching so-called "DEI" lessons in violation of Texas law in response to an activist group's undercover video.
The video, from the conservative group Accuracy in Media, allegedly showed a staff member explaining how the school teaches banned lessons by avoiding certain keywords and titles related to diversity, equity and inclusion, according to a press release.
"This should result in immediate termination," Paxton wrote in a statement calling for the staff member to be fired. "Texas deserves better than a UNT leadership that systematically allows the worst elements of the radical Left to run its campus.”
A spokesperson for UNT told KERA the staff member is no longer employed by the university.
Paxton sent a letter to the dean of the College of Public Affairs and Human Sciences, demanding a statement addressing the claims, as well as a statement detailing UNT's compliance with a 2024 state law, all DEI policies and all messages between UNT leadership and staff regarding DEI.
“The views expressed by a UNT staff member in June are inconsistent with the university’s commitments and practices as a public institution to comply with state and federal laws and regulations,” the spokesperson told KERA in a statement.
The investigation follows another last year by Paxton into how the university responded to student actions on campus following the shooting of Charlie Kirk.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Dylan Duke is KERA's Breaking News Reporter. Got a tip? Email Dylan Duke at dduke@kera.org.
KERA News is made possible through the generosity of our members. If you find this reporting valuable, consider making a tax-deductible gift today. Thank you.
