Does Iowa want merit-based selection or not?

Why is the Iowa House introducing legislation based on DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) practices when the Iowa Legislature is working to reduce or eliminate all DEI related activities from schools, universities and government agencies?

In this case, House File 137 would require at least 80% of the students accepted at the UI colleges of medicine, nursing and dentistry to be residents of Iowa or enrolled in an accredited college, university or community college in the state of Iowa. Or said another way, House File 137 gives favor to Iowans over others because Iowans have been historically underrepresented in this area. In this case, underrepresentation falls under the inclusion part in DEI. Either you want DEI or you do not. You cannot have your cake and eat it too.

According to various news sources, "Trump has indicated that 'We will have the best and brightest in every position possible', vowing to replace DEI-driven hiring with 'colorblind, merit-based' selection across the federal government."

I understand the intent of the legislation, but don't we want the best and the brightest that comes with merit-based selection at the UI colleges of medicine, nursing and dentistry? I think House File 137 would be better written to give everyone who graduates from an Iowa accredited college, university or community college an incentive to stay in Iowa after graduation rather than keeping those from other states out of Iowa.

Jeffrey J Schaefer

Cedar Rapids