Iowa Board of Regents cracks down on diversity, equity and inclusion programs at state universities

According to its report, the Iowa Board of Regents on Thursday recommended eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs at state universities, except for DEI programs that are required for federal compliance.

Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill in June to begin a “comprehensive study and review of each institution of higher education’s diversity, equity and inclusion programs and efforts.” seconds on the state legislature’s website. Board of Regents Chairman Michael Richards appointed a panel to review DEI programs in March, and the Iowa Board of Regents last week recommended “eliminating any DEI functions that are not necessary.” seconds in the report.

“I learned from this review that our universities are welcoming places,” David Barker, chairman of the Iowa Board of Regents’ review committee on DEI, said in a statement Thursday. “No benefits or opportunities are withheld from anyone because they are members of minority racial groups or because of their nationality, sex, gender, or sexual preference. The faculty, staff, and administrators of the university are committed to providing equal opportunity to all the students”.

The board recommended that they “will restructure the central DEI office across the university to eliminate any DEI functions that are not necessary for compliance and accreditation,” according to the report. It also recommended “reviewing all DEI positions at the university, department, or unit level to determine if specific DEI job responsibilities are necessary for compliance, accreditation, or student and employee support services,” and said that “any site responsibility that is not necessary for these purposes must be adjusted or eliminated”.

BREAKING: The Iowa Board of Regents has voted to abolish DEI at all state universities. pic.twitter.com/0kL3x9ESMh

— Christopher F. Rufo ⚔️ (@realchrisrufo) November 20, 2023

The report also recommends that no employee, student or visitor be required to state their pronouns. It also recommends that universities take steps to ensure that no applicant is required to submit a statement about their commitment to DEI and create a board policy that prohibits the use of race as an admissions factor.

Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed one invoice into law in May to eliminate DEI at Florida’s public universities. Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott signed a similar bill in June.

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