Florida A&M University officials said an employee incorrectly instructed a law student to strip the word “Black” from a flyer promoting Black History Month events out of concern it could violate state rules tied to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
Last week, student Aaliyah Steward told an Orlando news station that the university said she couldn’t use “Black,” as well as “affirmative action” and “women,” on an event flyer.
That guidance was caused by a “staff-level error — an overly cautious interpretation that went beyond what the law requires,“ Cecil Howard, the associate provost and interim dean of Florida A&M’s College of Law, saidin a message to the law school community obtained by the Tampa Bay Times.
Florida A&M told the Orlando station that the university has been in compliance with a state law prohibiting public universities from using state funds for diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
Florida A&M President Marva Johnson spoke with a higher education law expert, Howard said, who confirmed that there is no restriction on the word “Black” in the law. Howard said he agrees with the expert’s opinion.
“These provisions address the expenditure of state and federal funds on programs that advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion as specifically defined,” Howard said in the statement. “They do not prohibit the use of any word — not ‘Black,’ not ‘women,’ not ‘affirmative action.’ The regulation explicitly protects the speech and expressive activity of student-led organizations.”
Howard said he has met with the law communications team to develop an enhanced review process. He is also planning to assume the final review for all event-related materials. The College of Law’s communications review processes will be aligned withthose ofthe main campus, Howard said.
“Florida A&M University is the state’s only public Historically Black University,” he said. “The word ‘Black’ is central to our mission. Compliance with state law will never require us to erase our identity — and this administration will not allow it.”
Aaliyah Steward did not immediatelyrespond to a request for comment, nor did the Florida Department of Education. When asked for comment, the Board of Governors, which oversees the state’s universities,directed questions to Florida A&M.