AAU joined ACE and three other higher education associations in sending a letter to several members of Congress opposing Section 818, “Department of Defense (DOD) contractor professional training material disclosure requirements” included in the FY22 National Defense Authorization Act. The provision would require DOD contractors to make public available all diversity, equity, and inclusion training materials, internal policies, or other educational or professional materials “for review and identification of Critical Race Theory.”
The letter emphasizes that the requirement serves no clear purpose and would lead to costly and burdensome compliance for universities and colleges. Further, the letter states, it would not advance national security and would impede diversity and inclusion efforts, which are “essential to the long-term strength, economic competitiveness, and security of our nation.”