Resolution says college resource centers must be ‘dedicated to all students’
The Idaho State Board of Education debated a resolution Thursday to ban diversity, equity, and inclusion offices and programs in public colleges and universities.
If passed, the resolution 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.
Executive Director Josh Whitworth defended the proposal during the board meeting Thursday, the Idaho Statesman reports.
“This is not about removing support where people need it,” Whitworth said. “It’s really an inclusionary point of view.”
However, board member Kurt Liebich said the resolution could remove support groups that help “Native Americans, that support veterans, that support first-gen students,” according to the report.
The board did not take action on the resolution Thursday, but Whitworth said discussions will continue, KTVB News 7 reports.
“The purpose is to begin the conversation around these resolutions with our board members, leaders in our communities and our institutional leadership to make sure that we are kind of approaching some of these really hard conversations,” Whitworth told KTVB.
Meanwhile, a University of Idaho spokesperson said the institution is considering ending its DEI programs, the Statesman reports:
Rumors started circulating on social media this week that the University of Idaho plans to eliminate its DEI units. A social activist organization at the University of Idaho, Movimiento Activista Social, posted on Instagram asking people to stand in solidarity against the move.
University of Idaho spokesperson Jodi Walker said the school was discussing closing its DEI-related units with students, as part of its overall discussions on how to meet “the expectations of our board and the Legislature.” Idaho lawmakers this past session introduced Senate Bill 1357 to prohibit DEI in Idaho’s higher education institutions, though the bill went nowhere.
No announcements have been made, Walker said, and decisions are fluctuating based on information from the State Board.
In 2023, the State Board of Education voted to prohibit public universities from requesting or requiring diversity statements on job applications, The College Fix reported.
MORE: Idaho bans DEI job statements in higher ed, think tank says DEI offices should go next
IMAGE: Campus Mania/YouTube
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