Opposing approaches could sink a legislative effort to defund the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Tennessee.
Some lawmakers have vowed to strip funding from the office for promoting an annual "Sex Week," recommending the use of gender-neutral pronouns on campus and advising against religious-themed parties and decorations. But they are running out of time because the Legislature is set to adjourn this week.
A Senate finance committee voted to strip the office of about $437,000 in state funds and instead to fund scholarships for minority engineering students. The measure was sponsored by Chattanooga Republican Sen. Todd Gardenhire, who said he won't agree to the House version of the bill that passed on Monday. It's not clear if both chambers can agree in time.
