Rep. Alexander Andrade — the sponsor of a Florida bill that would wipe out diversity, equity and inclusion programs from the state’s college campuses — insists that the changes would not be an issue for student-led groups.
But Black fraternities and sororities still fear what the dismantling could mean for their Greek organizations — especially with viral posts on the topic spreading throughout social media, fueling the anxiety of members even more.
HB 999, which was filed by Andrade, advanced in the House after a Postsecondary Education and Workforce Subcommittee meeting was held Monday, with a 12-5 party-line vote. The similar Senate Bill 266 that was filed by Sen. Erin Grall went before the Committee on Education Postsecondary Wednesday, where it was also approved. The bills outlaw university diversity, equity and inclusion programs championed by the state in recent years and dramatically change campus hiring practices.
The bill does not expressly mention Black fraternities or sororities, but members of the groups remain worried as Gov. Ron DeSantis — in advance of a widely expected presidential campaign — wages a wider war on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, which he has called "discriminatory."
graduating senior Destiny Gaines has been a member of the Beta Alpha Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for almost two years.
The Tallahassee native joined the sorority during her sophom*ore year at FAMU, and she says her life has changed since.
“As a member of not only my sorority but of the NPHC (National Pan-Hellenic Council), House Bill 999 most definitely raises concerns — concerns of the possible removal of our history,” said 21-year-old Gaines, a journalism student.
“It’s just insane that this is even a topic of discussion when there’s more important issues going on,” she added.
NPHC is a collaborative umbrella council composed of the nine Black fraternities and sororities — also known as the Divine Nine — which are organizations that promote community awareness and action through educational and cultural service activities.
Gaines’s passion led her along with eight other FAMU NPHC fraternity and sorority members to voice their concerns at the Florida Capitol in front of legislators during a Tuesday committee meeting.
“It was most definitely an experience,” Gaines said. “You could feel the tension in the room.”
During the 30 seconds she was given to address her concerns, Gaines said part of the committee was listening while the other part wasn’t — as if they “knew their answer and weren’t willing to change it for anyone.”
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While the bill makes its rounds, more students like FAMU senior Keith Weir — who has been a member of the Alpha Eta Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. for a year — do not support the possible changes that it would bring to student life.
Weir, who says his fraternity’s initiatives are based off of inclusivity, was also among the group of FAMU students who expressed their thoughts about the bill Tuesday at the Capitol.
When he saw the uproar on social media about Black Greek letter organizations possibly being removed from Florida colleges and universities, he made sure to read the bill for himself.
“There’s different things that can be targeted with this bill,” said Weir, 22, a political science major from Lake Worth, Florida. “Even though it's not specifically stated, it could be the uprising or the spark that allows for more removals. We see where that fallout is, and that’s what we’re calling out.”
But when asked if the bill would impact Black fraternities and sororities on college campuses, Andrade said he made himself “very clear” that it would not stop student organizations like the NPHC college chapters from functioning.
“There has been plenty of clarity, but no matter how many times I say student groups are not affected by this bill, people insist on lying about it,” Andrade told the Tallahassee Democrat Wednesday. “There is zero impact to any student organization from this bill.”
He referred to lines 292 to 297 of the bill that states how student fees and public funds would still be allowed to support student-led organizations, and he said the bill would not prevent the groups from organizing and existing on Florida's public university campuses.
Fraternity and sorority chapters on college campuses do not receive direct university funds and mostly operate off student dues. While funding can be received from FAMU's student government association upon submitting an application, it is not guaranteed every year, according to FAMU NPHC Chapter President Morgan Tucker.
“I cannot make myself more clear or adamant on the subject,” Andrade said.
He also explained how some of the bill’s main effects on colleges and universities are that administrators would no longer be able to expend funds on DEI initiatives that they would usually execute on, and certain majors and minors — such as gender studies — would not be funded by the state, either.
Tucker, a member of the Beta Alpha Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., said the council and its members felt “personally attacked by the verbiage in the bill.”
“With consultation to the rich history of all nine organizations, our principles and values directly stand for the advancement of diversity, equity and inclusion as the top priority,” said Tucker, 21, a candidate in FAMU’s five-year MBA program from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. “This bill directly contradicts what has taken years to build and what we hold dear.”
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Tallahassee NPHC President Kimberly Berry says that student members of NPHC as well as other fraternities and sororities with minority members — such as individuals from the Hispanic community — have reached out to see how they can be supported. They’re working together to determine what their next course of action should be.
“These organizations are spaces where students, especially students of color, can be part of a group that’s similar to their communities and families of origin when they come to a college campus,” said Berry, a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. "They're definitely needed."
With Florida State University also having NPHC organizations, FSU student Kenineson Cene — a member of the Mu Epsilon Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. — shared how his organization has benefited him.
“Being in a fraternity and having a lot of amazing young men by your side to help you achieve your goals and connect with others makes college a lot better,” said 21-year-old Cene, a civil engineering major from Delray Beach, Florida. “It’s also my stress reliever in some ways. Having small socials and hanging out with my line brothers are a lot of the memories I carry with me.”
“These historical fraternities and sororities have had significant members who contributed to making the present what it is today,” Cene added. “If this bill actually goes through and there are no more fraternities and sororities on Florida’s college campuses, it’s only a matter of time until other states follow suit and do the same.”
Contact Tarah Jean at tjean@tallahassee.com or follow her on twitter @tarahjean_.
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