Iowa House Republicans push regents universities on diversity program costs

The presidents of Iowa's three regents universities defended their diversity, equity and inclusion programs against House Republicans who questioned whether the initiatives were worth the cost.

The presidents of the University of Iowa, Iowa State and the University of Northern Iowa spoke to a House Education Appropriations subcommittee Monday to present their initiatives for the next year and request a budget increase.

Rep. Taylor Collins, R-Mediapolis, asked the visiting presidents how much their lead diversity-related administrators were paid. Across the three universities, Collins estimated about $750,000 went to paying top diversity, equity and inclusion professionals.

“I just have a hard time when I see a $32 million request and I find $750,000 for four people," Collins said.

The presidents responded that well-qualified diversity, equity and inclusion departments are essential for running a competitive college, preparing students for the business world, and supporting underrepresented groups in higher education.

“We see an increasingly diverse population at each of our institutions," said Wendy Wintersteen, president of Iowa State University.

University of Iowa President Barbara Wilson noted that diversity programs encompass more than just race. The university presidents spoke about initiatives to support first-generation college students, including those from low-income families and from rural Iowa.

"To bring people in, we have the vision and ability to think about diversity, equity and inclusion in a really expansive way — not just about race, not just about gender, but about things like learning disabilities," Wilson told lawmakers. "Just imagine a young student coming to us from a rural community with dyslexia or autism.”

Rep. Skyler Wheeler, R-Hull, asked why diversity programs have "become such a big phenomenon recently.” University of Northern Iowa President Mark Nook responded that the Center for Urban Education began in 1968, with a focus on extending education to underrepresented groups.

Monday's meeting comes less than two weeks after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his intent to ban state universities from spending money on diversity, equity and inclusion programs. He said the service functions as "an ideological filter, a political filter" and a bureaucracy that is "not representative of what the people of this state and the taxpayers of this state want."

Republicans on the House Education Appropriations Committee didn't promise legislation on the issue, but they said everything was on the table when it comes to keeping Iowa's public universities affordable.

"We are interested in looking at every aspect of taxpayer dollars being spent at our regent universities. Everything," said Rep. Carter Nordman, R-Adel. "What they spend on programs, DEI, other administrative costs. We are interested not only in how much we appropriate, but how those appropriated dollars are being spent at our regents.”

Katie Akin is a politics reporter for the Register. Reach her at kakin@registermedia.com or at 410-340-3440. Follow her on Twitter at @katie_akin.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa universities defend diversity, equity and inclusion programs to GOP