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Idaho Board of Education Bans DEI Initiatives at Public Universities

December 19, 2024

The Idaho State Board of Education on Wednesday unanimously approved a resolution that bans diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at all public universities.

According to the resolution, Idaho institutions “shall establish and maintain equality of opportunity for all students regardless of personal identity characteristics,” and “ensure that no central offices, policies, procedures, or initiatives are dedicated to DEI ideology.” The resolution also prohibits students or faculty from being forced to use preferred pronouns or declare their gender identity.

The state board defines DEI as “any approach that prioritizes ‘personal identity characteristics’ (race, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, or gender identity) over individual merit.” The board acknowledged the resolution does not ban universities from offering scholarships or allowing student clubs based on “political or social issues.”

Ahead of the board’s vote, Boise State University closed its DEI office over Thanksgiving break, informing students that it would be replaced by a new Student Connections and Support Center. The center will provide resources such as case management and crisis intervention.

The resolution comes after the board voted last year to ban public universities from requiring diversity statements from its job applicants.

When asked about the DEI ban, Meg Kilgannon, senior fellow for Education Studies at Family Research Council, told The Washington Stand, “Idaho has been a leading example in the movement to increase conservative governance of educational institutions. These policies can be used as a model for other state boards or legislatures.”

Idaho is not the only state to gut DEI initiatives at its public schools. In January, the Florida Board of Education voted to ban DEI programs and policies at Florida public colleges. Iowa has also followed suit. Last November, the state’s Board of Regents directed its public universities to eliminate any DEI functions “that are not necessary for compliance or accreditation.” Texas has also banned DEI offices at its public universities.

Several other universities across the country are making sweeping changes to their DEI policies as well. The University of Michigan is no longer requiring diversity statements from faculty applicants, saying they have the potential to “limit freedom of expression.” In addition, the University of North Carolina system is no longer requiring its schools to submit annual DEI reports after its board nixed the program.

This push to end DEI comes as Americans’ opinions on it are starting to sour. According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, American workers are now more likely to say that focusing on increasing DEI is a bad thing.

Victoria Marshall is a news reporter for FRC's Washington Watch and is a contributor to The Washington Stand.



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