11-03-2025
How Iowa colleges are navigating DEI opposition
DES MOINES, Iowa — Colleges across Iowa are navigating potential state and federal mandates that could impact their funding because of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
DEI programs and offices are facing opposition on both a federal and state level.
Nationally, the United States Department of Education sent a letter in February warning academic institutions to remove DEI policies or risk funding cuts.
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The letter was addressed by Craig Trainor, the department's Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights. In it, he describes that DEI initiatives are discriminatory. He wrote, '[DEI initiatives] frequently preference certain racial groups and teach students that certain racial groups bear unique moral burdens that others do not.'
He went on to say, 'They deny students the ability to participate fully in the life of a school.'
The letter indicates that consequential funding cuts would be made within two weeks of that notification, however, no news of budget cuts to any academic institutions in the country has been reported yet.
On a state level, three bills addressing DEI in academic institutions passed last week's funnel deadline.
House File 855 addresses DEI in community schools. This bill bars community colleges from funding or maintaining DEI offices. This bill would add community colleges to the law passed last year, which banned DEI offices in state universities.
House File 854 addresses DEI in private universities. This bill would prohibit private universities from opening, funding, or maintaining a DEI office if they want to participate in the Iowa Tuition Grant Program.
House File 269 addresses DEI courses in public universities. This bill would bar any state university from requiring students to take diversity, equity, or inclusion courses for general education requirements.
Despite there not being mandates yet, some colleges are already reacting. Grand View University cancelled its International Women's Day Celebration, which was scheduled to take place on Monday, March 10th. This would have been the third annual celebration.
A spokesperson for the school provided this statement to WHO 13 News:
'Protecting our students' access to state and federal funding is a priority. The decision to cancel the International Women's Day event was made in light of orders and policy guidance from the federal government threatening to withhold federal funding for noncompliance and/or for any exclusionary programming. There is not yet a clear definition of 'DEI' or 'DEIA' from the federal government. Gender is often included in the definition of DEI/DEIA, so the event was cancelled out of an abundance of caution. A private, non-university sanctioned event is being held instead.'
Kendall Dillon Vice President for Marketing and Communications, Grand View University
Earlier this year, the Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) sent a letter to employees informing them that they suspended DEI meetings and staff training, a spokesperson for the college confirmed to WHO 13 News.
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However, Grinnell College and Drake University both said there are no new mandates for them to act on yet.
A spokesperson for Grinnell said:
'Grinnell College prohibits all unlawful discrimination. As such, the College's programs are open to all students, faculty, and staff and none are mandatory. As required by law, our work is focused on creating opportunity for everyone to see themselves reflected in the institution and prohibit unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, or any other protected class. The College monitors state and federal law on an ongoing basis and maintains compliance with existing laws.'
Ellen de GraffenreidGrinnell College Communications
A spokesperson for Drake said:
'While we are paying close attention to the potential implications, at this time there is no established law for us to act on — either from the state or federal government.'
Sue MattisonDrake University Provost
As a result of the law previously mentioned that was passed last session banning state universities from maintaining a DEI office, the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and the University of Northern Iowa have all eliminated their DEI departments.
One Iowa is a group advocating for LGBTQ Iowans. Its Director of Policy and Advocacy, Keenan Crow, said eliminating DEI departments and initiatives can have a negative impact on students.
Crow said, 'Offices that used to provide support and staff for those folks to navigate the college system, those offices have all been deleted or they have been renamed and repurpose to the point where it's not apparent that's where those students need to go, and so again and again we're just chipping away at infrastructure that's meant to support students and increase their inclusivity in spaces that they have traditionally not been included in.'
The second funnel deadline for Iowa's 91st General Assembly is April 4th. The three DEI bills will have to pass the Iowa Senate to stay active in this session.
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