Welcome to Season 2 & The FIRE Lawsuit Rant

In this episode, I welcome our listeners to Season 2 of The Rant. I describe the successes of Season 1, and preview what is in store for Season 2. In the second part of this episode I offer my first Rant of the Season 2. I get into the recent FIRE lawsuit filed against the California Community College's Chancellor's Office over the recently adopted Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility regulations. 

Transcript

Samson Q2U Microphone: 0:09

Hi, this is Ortiz Oakley and welcome back to the ramp. The podcast where we pull back the curtain and break down the people, the policies and the politics of our higher education system. Welcome to season two of the rent. Um, very excited to be back with you and share with you. A whole new slate of interesting guests and topics. In season one. We had the privilege of being downloaded on every continent on the planet. We had more than 1700 downloads and more than 114 hours of view time on YouTube. Thank you all for following. And season two, we will talk about skills. AI. Adult working learners, black learners. And the ways in which post-secondary education is being measured and valued in today's environment. Kicking things off will be my conversation with under secretary of education. James qual. James and his team at ed had been very busy with rulemaking with student loan debt issues. And of course, with Supreme court decisions. So Jordan is here on the rent. Let your friends know that your colleagues know about this podcast so that we can grow our audience. Please subscribe to the YouTube channel. And leave us your comments. I'd love to know what you think about the podcast. And if there are topics that you want us to take on in season two, Subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast platform so that you don't miss an episode. So to start things off. Let me start with a rent. Earlier this summer, the foundation for individual rights and expression, otherwise known as fire. Filed a lawsuit against the board of governors of the California community colleges. They allege among other things. That the California community colleges, new equity, diversity inclusion, and accessibility rules, otherwise known as the DEA rules. Forrest professors to endorse the government's view. On politically charged questions regarding D E I a. And that it compels professors. To teach the state's perspective on D E I a. Now. I had the privilege of leading the chancellor's office when these rules were developed and adopted by the board of governors. And in my non lawyerly view. What fire alleges is ridiculous with a capital R. While I'm not going to get into the specifics of the actions taken by the system or the colleges. There is absolutely nothing in these so-called rules. That was influenced by the state or by any government. The rules do not reflect the views of the state, but instead reflect the views and the aspirations. Of faculty of staff and most importantly of the students. That are served by the California community colleges. Valuing the diversity. Of the people and the perspectives and community colleges is a celebration. Of what makes our colleges great. And has nothing to do with endorsing the government viewpoint. D E I a regulations that I was probably part of give voice to the histories of diverse Californians that we educate. That recognize our unique talents in our colleges. And they give agency to the faculty and the staff to engage with their students and with their communities. The words, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our words of empowerment, not enforcement. I firmly stand behind the work that I was a part of. And I hope that today's California community college leadership stands firmly behind it as well. So that's it for now. Thanks for joining me here on the rent. I hope you continue to follow us throughout season two. And remember to hit subscribe. Leave me your comments and follow us on this YouTube channel. And on all of your favorite podcast, flat platforms. Take everyone. And we'll see you soon here on the rent.