Hoping to shield Iowa’s public universities from potential backlash to policy changes enacted by lawmakers, Republicans pushed forward a bill that would allow them to sue private entities that review the quality of colleges.
The proposed bill would ban Iowa’s regents institutions from having general education curriculum that teaches “identity politics” or claims systemic racism, sexism, oppression or privilege are inherent in U.S. and Iowa institutions.
As legislators this week continue their consideration of a group of bills aimed at reshaping higher education in Iowa -- taking aim at diversity, equity, and inclusion programming, curricular offerings, and accrediting agencies -- one lawmaker on Wednesday called on Iowa’s community colleges to consider offering bachelor’s degrees.
In responding to a House proposal that would require the University of Iowa to establish a new “School of Intellectual Freedom,” a UI lobbyist on Tuesday announced campus plans to create a new “Center for Civic Dialogue and Leadership.”
Multiuse entertainment district planned to be ‘game-changer for the Ames community’
Iowa’s new House Higher Education Committee has introduced a spate of study bills directed at Iowa’s public, private and community colleges and universities -- including several going further to limit diversity, equity and inclusion on the campuses and others imposing new mandates around what can and should be taught.
A representative from the conservative Manhattan Institute for Policy Research urged Iowa lawmakers Wednesday to get more involved in higher education -- including by changing Iowa Code to give the Legislature power to eliminate or add departments on its public university campuses.
All three of Iowa’s public universities “have ceased participating” in a nationwide initiative to diversify corporate America by increasing the diversity of business school faculty after a Republican lawmaker and head of the House higher education committee brought the issue to the Board of Regents.
“The cumulative amount of time spent by faculty, staff, and students processing unwanted email represents an enormous loss of personal and institutional productivity,” according to the new UI mass communications policy that took effect last week. “For email to remain a relevant means of communication, it must be strategic.
Once in a while — amid the clamor and chaos of crowds and jeers and protests and press — someone would walk up to a 45-pound, third-grade Tricia Saunders and thank her for “what you’re doing for women’s lib.” As an 8-year-old, she said, “I didn’t know what that was.”
Just months after returning to the University of Iowa in spring 2024 following its removal for hazing in 2018 — when it was just re-establishing itself after closing in 2012 due to hazing — the UI chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon already is facing interim suspension, again, due to hazing allegations.
Research for years has linked exercise with long-term health benefits, but a new University of Iowa study highlights ways to capitalize on the connection in a health care setting.
Just days before lawmakers convene Monday in Des Moines for the 2025 legislative session, the Republican chair of a new Iowa House Higher Education Committee sent a letter to the state Board of Regents advising it to reject a University of Iowa proposal to create a new “School of Social and Cultural Analysis.”
Adding to its more than 50 civil rights complaints in recent years accusing colleges, universities, and other academic institutions of race- and sex-based discrimination, the anti-affirmative action Equal Protection Project on Monday filed a federal complaint against the University of Northern Iowa.
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