As the Idaho State Board of Education debates a resolution to ban diversity, equity, and inclusion offices and programs in public colleges and universities, one campus has taken preemptive action.
The board is expected to vote on the anti-DEI resolution at its meeting Wednesday.
Ahead of that vote, over Thanksgiving break, Boise State University closed its Student Equity Center and the Gender Equity Center, KTVB reported, adding that the campus community was informed of the closures last week via email from BSU administrators.
The closures were “abrupt” and “unannounced,” Idaho Ed News reported.
KTVB obtained a copy of BSU’s email, which stated in part “We want to acknowledge that the staff members who have worked in these centers over the last few decades have impacted the lives of thousands of students.”
“We all have heard the conversations taking place this year across the nation related to diversity, equity and inclusion and higher education,” the email continued. “The Idaho State Board of Education has developed resolutions for Idaho universities, and we have provided feedback. We remain steadfast in our commitment to serving all students while seeking to be responsive to our governing board’s expectations.”
KTVB reported:
As a replacement, BSU will open a new Student Connections and Support Center. In the email, they said they’ve been planning for the new center for several months.
The new center will offer a first-generation program and resources like case management, crisis interventions, and other services.
As The College Fix previously reported, the Idaho State Board of Education resolution under consideration would prohibit “offices, policies, procedures, or initiatives … dedicated to DEI activities.”
Additionally, university resource centers must be “dedicated to all students,” and institutions must not require employees or students to “declare gender identity or preferred pronouns,” according to the resolution.
However, according to Idaho Ed News, the resolution the board will vote on tomorrow “walks back one section that the State Board first floated in November. Colleges and universities would not be required to make sure ‘all student success centers are dedicated to all students … regardless of personal identity characteristics.'”
What’s more, the revised resolution “also includes language that seems designed to defuse the controversy,” the outlet reported.
“The Board recognizes and values the unique diversity of Idahoans and expects the postsecondary institutions to foster a campus culture that appreciates and reflects this diversity,” the revised resolution reportedly states.
MORE: Idaho education board debates cutting DEI offices at universities
IMAGE: YouTube screenshot
Like The College Fix on Facebook / Follow us on Twitter
Please join the conversation about our stories on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Reddit, MeWe, Rumble, Gab, Minds and Gettr.