Arizona State University (ASU) theology professor Dr. Owen Anderson claimed the university now uses Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) questions to “screen” and exclude job applicants during the hiring process. Anderson revealed this information to The Arizona Sun Times when reached to discuss the July 18 hearing in the Arizona Legislature that examined freedom of expression at the taxpayer-funded institution.
Anderson (pictured above), who is also a pastor at the Historic Christian Church of Phoenix, told The Sun Times ASU uses “DEI questions in hiring to screen candidates,” which Anderson said “means only candidates that agree with their left wing agenda are hired.”
The professor also told The Sun Times that ASU’s New College of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences “is attempting to change its bylaws to say we use antiracist and decolonizing philosophy in our classes” and revealed that professors are now “asked to evaluate how well we contributed to DEI” during annual reviews.
An ASU spokesman claimed the university does not require job applications to contain DEI questions when reached by The Sun Times, but did not clarify whether such questions have been included in applicant screening processes, or whether professors must agree with DEI initiatives to teach at the university.
Anderson’s latest revelation comes after the professor told Arizona legislators ASU mandates “employee training,” which “specifically teaches to employees that critical race theory and intersectionality are true” during a hearing last week. Anderson told The Sun Times that such materials could prejudice professors against conservatives and inhibit viewpoint diversity among faculty.
When speaking before the legislature, State Senator Anthony Kern (R-Glendale) asked Anderson to clarify that the materials are mandatory, then listed “How is White Supremacy Normalized in Society,” “What is White Privilege, Really?” and “Explaining White Privilege to a Broke White Person” as examples of podcasts, videos, or other materials professors must review.
