DES MOINES, Iowa – Michael Richards, the president of the Iowa Board of Regents, directed the state’s public universities to pause the implementation of new diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
Richards said the Board of Regents would initiate a comprehensive study and review of DEI programs and efforts at the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and the University of Northern Iowa over the next few months.
He appointed Regents David Barker, Jim Lindenmeyer, and Greta Rouse to a working group that would lead the study and report to the entire board.
This decision by Richards follows potential legislative action targeting DEI programs at state universities.
A bill in the Iowa House of Representatives, HF 616, passed in the Iowa House Education Committee on March 3. If passed, it would prohibit Regent universities from spending money appropriated by the Iowa Legislature or private money “to establish, sustain, support, or staff a diversity, equity, and inclusion office, or to contract, employ, engage, or hire an individual to serve as a diversity, equity, and inclusion officer.”
Read the bill below:
HF616
