DES MOINES, Iowa — In April, state legislators passed the Department of Education's budget, a move that banned Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs, positions and offices in public institutions.
Thursday, the Iowa Board of Regents met to share how they are allocating those funds, while also outlining the specific changes they'll be implementing across Iowa's 3 public universities, giving a clear picture of the future educational landscape.
Iowa code 2.61 -J is a law that prohibits public universities from having DEI offices or related positions. The law doesn't go in affect until July 1, 2025, but the Board of Regents is working to get Iowa's three public universities in compliance well before then.
"We began by assessing the changes that were already initiated to comply with the Board of Regents directives from last November. We confirmed that each university had, as Amy described, eliminated its central DEI officer functions in compliance with directive one, " Chief Academic Officer with the Iowa Board of Regents, Rachel Boon said.
Regent David Barker acknowledges the board and universities are moving ahead of schedule to follow the law, but feels there is more to be done. He said this semester there were several examples of university administrative offices which are not being eliminated or restructured that promoted DEI.
"Promotion of these ideas has been so widespread in university administration that achieving compliance will take a great deal of effort. Strategic plans still need to be changed, and our presidents need to strongly communicate that they expect our universities to follow the spirit of the law, not find ways around it," Barker said.
Board Counsel Aimee Clayes shared that the board plans to bring additional changes to the table in February to work to ensure universities are not affiliated with politics.
"We anticipate bringing proposed changes to the board's policy manual, addressing university statements on matters of public concern and potentially developing a new social media policy applicable to all three campuses that will help address and provide guidance on how that portion of the law is going to be interpreted and implemented on all three campuses," Clayes said.
The Board of Regents shared this will not be a static process, but that it will be required to make an annual report to Governor Reynolds proving their continued compliance with the law. The board also shared the universities will not be reducing support for students.