Iowa City, Iowa (RI) — University of Iowa president Barbara Wilson spoke at Wednesday’s Board of Regents meeting about comments from a University of Iowa (UI) employee made in an undercover video that the new state DEI law is not being followed. Wilson says they take it very seriously.
Wilson says the UI has launched its own investigation and will coordinate with the Board office and Attorney General’s Office in the investigation of this matter.
Wilson says while personnel matters must remain confidential, their approach will be guided by their values of integrity, compliance, and responsibility to the public.
Board of Regents President Sherry Bates says they will adopt a comprehensive policy to restrict Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as well as Critical Race Theory in college courses — however, she suggests the policy still needs tweaking.
Bates says one of those concerns is maintaining a free flow of ideas both inside and outside of university classrooms.
Bates says the board will have a special meeting in August focused on establishing an anti-DEI and Critical Race Theory policy for the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and the University of Northern Iowa.
Regent David Barker says the undercover comments demonstrate that there’s a continuing DEI problem on the campuses. He was critical of a letter sent from the Board of Regents to Attorney General Brenna Bird on changes made to comply with the law.
Barker chaired the DEI Review Committee that recommended the elimination of DEI programs in 2023. Barker says former Board chair Michael Richards disbanded the committee after its recommendation and left the enforcement to the schools.
Barker says this undercover video should not be a surprise.
Barker has been nominated by President Trump to serve as a top administrator in the US Department of Education, but the US Senate hasn’t schedule a confirmation vote yet on his nomination.
KIWA Staff Photo
