Identity of Speakers
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Iowa Board of Regents
Faculty/Staff
OtherNine member governing body overseeing the three public universities in the state of Iowa:
Resources
Additional Information
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Incident Nature:
Other
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Incident Political Orientation:
Right wing -
Incident Responses:
University administration changed university policy as a consequence
State Campus Free Speech Act
Other
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Incident Status:
No litigation
Other
- Was Speech Code incident
Summary
In June 2025, the Iowa Board of Regents proposed a policy restricting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Critical Race Theory (CRT) content in university curricula. The move followed 2024 state legislation that eliminated DEI offices at public universities, amid concerns that universities were imposing ideological litmus tests on students and faculty. The proposal sought to prevent majors, minors, or certificates from requiring courses with substantial DEI or CRT content, drawing strong objections and prompting the board to delay a final vote.
By early August, the board introduced a revised policy allowing faculty to teach controversial material relevant to their courses, provided it encouraged critical thinking and avoided indoctrination. Supporters said this balanced academic freedom with safeguards against compelling students to adopt particular ideological perspectives. On August 7, lawmakers highlighted alleged DEI compliance violations at the University of Iowa, reinforcing calls for oversight and momentum for the revised approach, which emphasized academic freedom and fair grading.
On August 12, the board formally approved the updated policy, directing faculty to foster discussion without imposing ideology and clarifying that grades should reflect mastery of course material rather than conformity with a single viewpoint. Some welcomed the framework as a measured solution, while critics argued it represented a retreat from efforts to fully dismantle DEI and CRT in Iowa’s public universities.
In July, a video surfaced showing University of Iowa staff discussing ways to operate around the state’s DEI ban. Governor Kim Reynolds called the remarks “appalling” and reminded the Board of Regents to ensure compliance with state law and an executive order restricting DEI policies at public institutions. The video prompted an investigation by Attorney General Brenna Bird. In August, another video showed a former director of Iowa State University’s LGBTQIA+ Center admitting staff had been “finding loopholes” in DEI restrictions. By September, a third video surfaced showing University of Iowa staff discussing ways to circumvent the state ban. In response, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra and state Rep. Taylor Collins called for employees found violating anti-DEI laws to be fired.
