DEI efforts must be sustained, not scrapped in Iowa

Iowa’s Board of Regents, which governs the state’s three state universities, has approved recommendations that would dramatically shrink efforts to address Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, or DEI, on campuses.

Among the recommendations, any DEI function not required for accreditation would be eliminated, along with any non-required DEI-related jobs. No employee or student or employee would be evaluated based on DEI initiative. The consideration of race or protected class in admissions would be prohibited.

But the universities would explore recruitment strategies to advance “diversity of intellectual and philosophical perspective in faculty and staff applicant pools.”

In other words, the board believes recruiting more conservative faculty should be the primary focus of campus diversity efforts.

Of course, we’re all for “diversity of intellectual and philosophical perspective.” But it’s hard to miss the irony of this recommendation coming from a nine-member board with five Republicans, three independents and a single Democrat. Gov. Kim Reynolds may meet the letter of the law but has clearly violated the spirit of required political balance on the board.

“We are micromanaging their decisions and imposing new political intrusions,” said Nancy Dunkel of Dyersville, the board’s lone Democrat, according to reporting by The Gazette’s Vanessa Miller.

“Professors and leaders in our schools encourage critical thinking, discussion and questioning to improve learning. External intrusions do not improve but are trying to undermine and control the universities.,” Dunkel said.

The board is following the mandated lead of the Republican-controlled Iowa Legislature, which has taken aim at DEI efforts. Regent David Barker of Iowa City argues studies have shown “reduced philosophical, political perspective and diversity at universities over time.” Barker is among three Republican board members who are also donors to the governor’s campaigns.

This isn’t just another front in the culture war. Curtailing DEI efforts could have significant negative consequences for the universities, harming student and faculty recruitment. The need for focusing on DEI isn’t going away in an increasingly diverse nation that is coming to terms with past discrimination.

The long-term impacts these recommendations can have on our future workforce and higher education enrollments should be of concern to all Iowans. The state can ill afford to lose potential workforce because students opt to go to schools with more supports.

Whitewashing history to avoid necessary, uncomfortable conversations is the opposite of what a university’s mission must be. Iowans should find it unacceptable.

(319) 398-8262; editoral@thegazette.com