Despite calls from students and alumni to protect diversity, equity and inclusion programs at public universities, the Iowa Board of Regents on Thursday approved recommendations to do away with any such efforts that are unnecessary for accreditation or compliance.
The board discussed the report and recommendations of the DEI Study Group, created by regents and study group members David Barker, Jim Lindenmayer and Greta Rouse after an investigation into the universities’ initiatives and programs relating to diversity, equity and inclusion. The board approved 10 recommendations touching on centralized and decentralized DEI programs, human resources and expanding the diversity of viewpoints on campus.