State Auditor Criticizes University Spokesman Over DEI Program Discrediting

State Auditor Calls Out University Spokesman for Discrediting DEI Programs

Mississippi’s State Auditor, Shad White, has publicly criticized a University spokesperson who disputed claims that Mississippi’s universities are enforcing radical DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs on their students.

In a heated social media post on Tuesday, White lambasted Sid Salter, the spokesman for Mississippi State University (MSU), for suggesting that the auditor’s allegations of extreme DEI programs at the state’s higher educational institutions were unfounded.

White shared, “It brings me no pleasure in pointing this stuff out. I look at our universities and I see the ways they waste taxpayer resources on this liberal garbage, and it’s frustrating. I hope they’ll get back to educating the doctors, accountants, and engineers our economy needs.”

This follows a recent report where it was revealed that MSU, along with the University of Mississippi and the University of Southern Mississippi, were rebranding their DEI programs. This rebranding effort comes in the wake of a 2023 report by the auditor showing significant expenditure on these programs in recent years.

“These crazy DEI programs push ideas like ‘whiteness’ is evil, and they waste money on big salaries and grants for nonsense like equity-based preschool yoga,” White wrote, supporting similar statements he’s made previously. “Mississippi State, like many universities, is shot through with crazy racial ideology.”

Salter Dismisses White’s Claims

In his response, Salter dismissed White’s allegations, stating that, “what Shad White describes on the political stump is not what we’re doing at Mississippi State University. I don’t think it’s what we’re doing at other universities in Mississippi… He’s entitled to his opinion. He’s not entitled to his facts.”

White fiercely refuted the veteran columnist’s dismissal, pointing out that MSU released a press statement which praised itself for conducting ‘whiteness’ research and examining ‘white privilege.’ Furthermore, he stated that whole departments at State had publicized their commitment to ‘antiracist’ ideology.

“Sid knows this because he was a chief communications officer for the university at the time. This isn’t some slip of the tongue for him; it’s the second time this month he’s said something like this to statewide media,” the auditor said.

MSU’s Continued Stand on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

MSU’s website includes a link to its Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, which redirects visitors to MSU’s Office of Inclusive Excellence. In response to the auditor’s remarks, Salter has not yet commented.

Disclaimer

The information in this article is accurate as of its publication date. Any updates to the story since its initial publication may not be reflected in this article.