The Kansas Board of Regents unanimously approved a state-compliant definition of “DEI-CRT” to guide how public colleges handle required coursework under a new ban tied to race-related instruction. The board’s policy defines DEI content as instruction that “intentionally establishes and promotes the preferential treatment” of groups based on protected characteristics and defines critical race theory content as material that “promotes acceptance” of racism as systemic. The regents intentionally excluded broader discussions of race, racism, and civil-rights history from the definitions. University of Kansas Chancellor Douglas Girod said the group generally accepts the definition but objected to the word “promotes,” warning that ambiguity could create “real risk” for faculty course design. Regent Peter Johnston highlighted the importance of the exclusion to protect teaching of difficult topics. The definition must be certified to the legislature’s finance council by the end of July. Programs primarily focused on racial, ethnic, or gender studies may seek exemptions, and the policy is set to take effect in the 2028–29 academic year.