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 […]
diversity
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Lizzie No knows folk, drawing inspiration from ‘the Lilith Fair girls’ and social justice movements
Lizzie No’s discography is an eclectic mix of everything from country ballads to folksy foot-tappers to alt-rock imbued with righteous anger — the kind of music that perfectly soundtracks a summer drive down a country highway. The expressive voice of No (the stage name of the band’s lead singer, Lizzie Quinlan, but also the band […]
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 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 […]
Posted inCommunity/News
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
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 […]
Posted inCommunity/News
State universities eliminate, reorganize DEI offices to meet Regents’ directives
Presidents of the state’s public universities told the Iowa Board of Regents at its meeting in Ames on Thursday that they are eliminating departments and positions related to diversity, equity and inclusion and looking to support students on a more individualized basis. Iowa State University, University of Iowa and University of Northern Iowa have been […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa lawmakers debate until 2 a.m. in race to finish 2024 legislative session
Iowa lawmakers debated budget bills into the early morning Friday as they aim for the end of session in the coming days. Though legislators spent much of their days in party caucus meetings Thursday, members of both the House and Senate moved through dozens of bills during debate, in addition to meetings of the chambers’ […]
Posted inCommunity/News
‘A denial of history’: Bill restricting racism and sexism discussions in diversity training passed by Iowa House
After more than four and a half hours of floor discussion on Tuesday night, the Iowa House of Representatives voted along party lines to approve a bill that imposes restrictions on diversity training offered by any state or local government agency and prohibits any instruction in public schools or universities on certain “divisive concepts” related […]
