Iowa Republicans push to halt ‘woke agenda’ in state universities

OAN Roy Francis
UPDATED 11:23 AM PT – Wednesday, March 8, 2023

The Iowa House of Representatives is currently working on a bill to ban spending for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). This would effectively stop the legislation. “woke agenda” Iowa State Colleges

House File 616 This would prevent the state from funding DEI offices and employees working in areas that are related to race, gender identity or orientation. These areas can still be covered by courses, guest speakers, research and student groups.

“For too long, the DEI bureaucracies at our institutions of higher education have been used to push a woke agenda on the faculty, staff and students,” Fox News interviewed Representative Taylor Collins, R-Iowa. “Under the guise of diversity and inclusion, these programs work to indoctrinate students into their preferred political ideology.”

The bill’s critics claim that removing these resources would mean that there is no support for the students at state colleges. “a wide variety of students.”

Barbara Wilson, President of the University of Iowa, addressed the House subcommittee about the legislation. The President of the University of Iowa, Barbara Wilson said educators should be considering DEI. “an expansive way, not just about race, not just about gender, but about things like learning disabilities.”

According to supporters of the bill, DEI programs promote racial favoritism. Funds should instead be directed at this problem. “for the true benefit of students” instead.

Iowa’s bill also would redirect DEI funds to tuition reduction and scholarships increase, in order that students can attend state universities.

Collins explained that the legislation was designed to “return Iowa’s higher education institutions’ focus back to academic excellence.”

Following the passage of the law by the state, this legislation was adopted. Students First ActThe Iowa Student Loan Fund allows students to be able to send money anywhere in the state to go to schools they want. Republican-led Iowa was one of few states to have passed extensive school choice laws that apply to K-12 students.

Other colleges and states are also implementing anti-DEI initiatives. The University of North Carolina board of governors reported that they had received a February report. voted against DEI agendasGovernor Ron DeSantis (Republican-Fla.), as well as the Florida House of Representatives, are pushing for a reduction in funding for critical race theory and DEI programs across Florida.

Iowa’s legislation awaits approval by the lower chamber.