Restrictions on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at Iowa community colleges and private colleges moved forward Wednesday in the Iowa House as lawmakers consider expanding prohibitions already in place at the state’s three public universities.
Rep. Taylor Collins, R-Mediapolis, last month tabled his own bill, House Study Bill 61, that would restrict community college DEI initiatives after Des Moines Area Community College announced it would pause its DEI efforts in the face of growing state and federal limitations on those programs.
But House Higher Education Committee lawmakers on Wednesday revived the measure and took a 7-4 vote along party lines to advance it.
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Rep. Monica Kurth, D-Davenport, said the bill was unnecessary.
“Community colleges do not currently have these offices, and in this current atmosphere, I don’t really see them opening these offices,” Kurth said.
Collins, the House Higher Education Committee chair, said Wednesday he appreciated that Iowa’s community colleges are already in compliance or working toward that.
“After conversations with my caucus, we believe these changes are important to codify,” Collins said.
Iowa’s state universities’ DEI programming and personnel already have seen ongoing major cuts and restructuring via legislation from the last legislative session that blocked them from operating DEI offices.
The three schools governed by the Iowa Board of Regents have redirected more than $2.1 million from DEI roles and offices in response to the law and the regents’ directives.
Lawmakers also moved 7-4 to advance House Study Bill 60 barring private colleges and universities from participating in the Iowa Tuition Grant financial aid program if they operate a DEI office.
The Iowa Tuition Grant is awarded to Iowa residents attending one of the state’s private colleges or universities based on financial need. The maximum award for the 2024-25 school year is $8,500 for nonprofit schools or $6,000 for for-profit institutions.
More: House bill would block Iowa Tuition Grant awards to private colleges with DEI offices
“I’m always surprised to see that we’re butting into private businesses, even if they receive tax dollars,” said House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst, D-Windsor Heights, who is a Drake University associate professor.
Collins said that Iowans in November’s general election “resoundingly rejected identity politics.”
“We will no longer be distracted by DEI,” Collins said of the state’s efforts to shutter DEI offices. “We will now be focused on MEI — that is merit, excellence and intelligence.”
House lawmakers move college student loan ‘transparency’ bill
Lawmakers also voted 10-1 to advance House Study Bill 152 requiring the Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corp., now called ISL Education Lending, to provide Iowa College Aid with an annual estimate of the annual percentage rate for the Federal Direct PLUS loan.
It also requires ISL Education Lending post possible APRs for private loan programs including College Family Loans and Partnership Loans, and post comparisons between the terms of federal and state loans.
The bill is intended to help make sure students know about the costs of loans before they take them on.
All bills advanced Wednesday are now eligible for House debate.
Marissa Payne covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. Reach her by email at [email protected]. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @marissajpayne.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Community colleges, private universities may face DEI restrictions
