Des Moines, Iowa — The President of the Board of Regents is responding to questions by lawmakers about whether the state schools have done enough to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs. President Sherry Bates made a statement during the Board’s meeting Thursday.
Representative Brooke Boden of Indianola had specifically questioned information about D-E-I on the University of Iowa’s websites. Bates said the U-I has been taking action on the D-E-I issues, and cited an example.
Bates says the efforts need to continue.
Bates said it may appear to some that nothing has been done, she said this is not the case, but they must continue to work on it.
Bates said that all three universities have fulfilled the February 24th request from the governor.
Bates says the Regents, university administrators, faculty and staff, must examine what they are doing now and what we will be doing going forward to ensure that they are following the spirit of the laws and executive orders on D-E-I. Bates also mentioned bills in the legislature that would direct the Board to review programs and how they fit with the high demand jobs and workforce needs.
Bates said she knows that there are some who believe the Board and the universities move too slowly in being responsive to concerns that are raised, but said there are many examples to show that that is not true.
