Hunter
11/17/23
The Iowa Board of Regents is instructing the state’s three public universities to eliminate all staff positions focused on diversity, equity and inclusion that are not necessary for the schools’ accreditation or to comply with state or federal law.
The Des Moines Register reports the Republican-led legislature called out the University of Iowa, Iowa State and the University of Northern Iowa for the cost of their DEI programs. Governor Reynolds signed a new law requiring the Regents to review the programs, a less harsh piece of legislation compared to one being considered that would have eliminated all diversity equity and inclusion plans altogether.
Board of Regents President Michael Richards called for the universities to put a hold on any new DEI programs while they were being reviewed.
LGBTQ rights group One Iowa’s executive director Courtney Reyes issued a statement that said in part, “Eliminating these crucial diversity, equity, and inclusion programs will devastate our universities’ capacity to attract, retain, and prepare students for their future careers.”
During the public comment part of Thursday’s meeting, speakers said the Regent’s decision ignored input provided by students, faculty and staff that overwhelmingly supported the diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
The decision doesn’t completely eliminate DEI programs at the three state universities. They’re still required to comply with state and federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in hiring or other programs based on race, sex, age, disability or other protected classes. Other DEI programs may be necessary to comply with NCAA rules, accreditation and to receive federal and state grants and financial aid.