DES Moines, Iowa — Iowa Rep. Taylor Collins, chair of the House’s higher education committee, introduced 14 new bills Wednesday.
One would cap tuition increases at 3% for Iowa’s public universities, along with guaranteeing students pay the same tuition amount over the four years they’re in school.
Another prohibits diversity, equity and inclusion offices at Iowa’s community colleges and private institutions that receive Iowa tuition grants, a ban that’s already been implemented across Iowa’s three public universities.
It would also require the University of Iowa establish a school of intellectual freedom.
Another bill laid out exactly what classes can be taken for general education courses at regent institutions. It would prohibit classes that distort historical events, along with banning teaching on identity politics or theories that systematic racism, sexism, oppression or privilege are inherent in U.S. institutions or Iowa. It added the policy shall not limit academic freedom or free discussion in the classroom.
Collins introduced these policies ahead of the presentation by the Manhattan Institute, which is a conservative think tank.
They claimed public trust in higher education is decreasing and said Iowa’s colleges are dealing with rising costs and political agendas in the classroom.
“Many of these programs that were negative ROI’s (return on investment) are well known to suffer from ideological capture such as anthropology, social work and gender studies,” Neetu Arnold, a policy analyst for the Manhattan Institute said. “And, in fact, the University of Iowa social work department offers a course called ‘foundations on critical cultural competence.’ The professor teaching the course says in CD (course description) she introduced “racial caucus/infinity groups to accompany reading materials like the book ‘Me and White Supremacy.’ And, according to NPR, this book is about helping white people confront white privilege.”
Democrats were wary of the data presented and asked many questions on how the institute came to its conclusions.
“You said that some of these majors are well known for political bias, can I have the data to show me why they’re well known?” State Rep. Jennifer Konfrst (D) Iowa asked.
Arnold said she would be “happy to send over articles that people have written on the subject.”
“Is it a study?” Rep. Konfrst questioned. “Is it qualitative or quantitative, where it says 50% of the programs are biased?”
Arnold said she didn’t have the information on her, but said she could find it.
“I would appreciate that, thank you, it’s an assumption I want to make sure we’re not making, it’s a pretty broad statement to say all of these programs, including dance and English are well known for their political bias,” Rep. Konfrst said.
After the meeting, Rep. Collins told Iowa’s News Now he wants to make sure the colleges are mission-focused and that reform will need to be led by the Iowa Board of Regents.
One of those new bills he dropped tasks the Regents with reviewing all academic programs to determine whether each program aligns with workforce needs in the state.
You can find the list of higher education bills introduced by Rep. Collins here.
