Idaho Gov. Brad Little has signed into law legislation to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs and offices in the state’s public colleges and universities.
Senate Bill 1198, signed April 4, stated in part that a “subversive ideology derived from the tenets of critical theory has infected the administration of this state’s system of higher education, promoting a culture of division, ignorance, bigotry, and intolerance.”
“Therefore, it is the intent of the Legislature to eliminate all programs and initiatives within all public institutions of higher education predicated on the tenets of critical theory, or more commonly known under the title of ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion.'”
The measure bans DEI offices and programs and also forbids mandatory diversity trainings and bias reporting systems.
“The legislation will prevent colleges from establishing curricula that require students to take DEI-related courses to complete degree programs, with limited exceptions for programs specifically focused on racial, ethnic or gender studies,” KTVB reported.
The new law comes just five months after the Idaho State Board of Education approved sweeping new policies that ban “DEI ideology” in higher education, requires institutional neutrality, and states “no employee or student is required to declare gender identity or preferred pronouns.”
In 2023, the Idaho State Board of Education also banned universities from requesting or requiring diversity statements from job applicants. At that time, the University of Idaho maintained an Office of Equity and Diversity and Boise State University had a DEI division.
Conservative watchdogs praised the new law, slated to go into effect July 1.
“This decision follows the approval of a higher education budget that includes $4 million in DEI-related cuts, with Boise State University (BSU) and the University of Idaho each facing a $2 million reduction,” the Idaho Freedom Foundation stated on its website.
“…We look forward to a world where our state’s universities are free from this divisive ideology and can return their attention to academic excellence.”
For example, as The College Fix previously reported in 2020, a required course at an Idaho community college instructed students to identify privileges specific to men, whites and members of the “majority religion” in the region.
MORE: I’ve been punished for engaging in civil debate at the University of Idaho
IMAGE CAPTION AND CREDIT: A picture of the words DEI and Program atop a pile of cash ; Shutterstock images
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