The University of Iowa’s inaugural powwow was held at Iowa City’s Robert A. Lee Recreation Center in April 1990. Organized by the American Indian Student Association — renamed the Native American Student Association (NASA) in 2013 — and the Chicano Indian American Student Union — now the Latino Native American Cultural Center — the powwow […]
DEI
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa House Republicans pass bills giving them, the board of regents and the attorney general more control over universities
Iowa House lawmakers approved legislation Thursday to alter university presidential searches, tuition options and general education requirements. General education review HF 2361, passed by the Iowa House Higher Education Committee more than one month ago alongside other legislation, would require state universities to include courses in American history and government in general education requirements. The […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa House passes tuition freeze, penalties for private schools with DEI programs, continuing education limits
Iowa House lawmakers passed legislation Tuesday to freeze tuition and restrict some nonresident enrollment at public universities; penalize private colleges with diversity, equity and inclusion offices; and make changes to continuing education and career and technical education. Career, continuing education courses HF 2547 would expand career and technical education (CTE) credit transfers and establish a […]
Posted inCommunity/News
University students speak out against anti-DEI actions at Board of Regents meeting
Daniela Pintor-Mendoza stood up before the Iowa Board of Regents on Wednesday, a crowd of people holding signs and waving flags behind her. She spoke during the board’s public comment period to express her feelings as a “proud” University of Iowa student about decisions made by the board to reduce diversity, equity and inclusion practices […]
Posted inStatewide
Bill trying to stop Iowa universities from losing accreditation because of new state laws awaits governor’s signature
The Iowa Senate has sent a bill to Gov. Kim Reynolds’ desk that would bar penalization from accreditors to universities for following state law, despite concerns from some lawmakers that it would not prevent universities from potentially losing accreditation. HF 295 would bar higher education accrediting bodies from taking negative action against state universities that […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa House lawmakers clash over legislation restricting DEI at public, private colleges; bills pass
When debating the first of many pieces of legislation targeting diversity, equity and inclusion Tuesday in the Iowa House, Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, D-Ames, said she’s already heard from individuals and groups seeing the negative impacts of stripping away DEI at Iowa colleges and universities. An Iowa State University professor was asked to stop requiring students […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa House Higher Education Committee approve bill to force private colleges to eliminate DEI programs
Under HSB 60, private universities would be prohibited from starting, maintaining or funding DEI offices unless required by accreditors or by law, with the risk of losing their eligibility to accept Iowa Tuition Grant dollars from students if they are found noncompliant. The Iowa Tuition Grant program provides scholarships to students who attend a private university […]
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Higher education leaders seek clarification on ‘return on investment’ for new Iowa House committee
As a new Iowa House higher education committee gets its start with the beginning of the legislative session, college and university leaders are signaling their willingness to work with lawmakers while seeking clarification about what “return on investment” the Statehouse is seeking. Higher education committee chair Rep. Taylor Collins, R-Mediapolis, said at the committee’s first […]
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Iowa Board of Regents to consider removing DEI language from strategic plan
The Iowa Board of Regents will consider a new draft of its strategic plan at its meeting next week, edited to remove language pertaining to diversity, equity and inclusion. According to documents released Tuesday, the body’s new 2022-2027 strategic plan would remove certain guidelines and words in response to legislation that has passed over the […]
Posted inCommunity/News
State universities reallocate more than $2 million from DEI programs
Iowa’s state universities have reallocated more than $2.1 million originally used for positions and offices relating to diversity, equity and inclusion on campus as a result of Iowa Board of Regent directives and a state law set to go into effect next summer, according to a report released Tuesday. Nearly a year after the board […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa Board of Regents begins review of university DEI programs for compliance with new anti-DEI law
The Iowa Board of Regents is working with board staff and state universities to analyze diversity, equity and inclusion programs and positions and ensure their compliance under a state law set to take effect next summer. President Sherry Bates said during the board meeting Thursday that she, along with Regents Greta Rouse, David Barker and […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Drake University expands diversity, equity, inclusion and justice programs as public universities shrink theirs
As colleges and universities across Iowa are being encouraged, or even required, to restructure or eliminate diversity, equity, inclusion and justice programs, Drake University is expanding and promoting its efforts. Drake officials say the university is continuing its decade-long work of expanding DEI efforts on campus with a new initiative to foster a greater sense […]
