Last week, Boise State University’s new president received a letter outlining critiques of the university’s various diversity-related programs, citing numerous reasons she should consider withholding support.
Marlene Tromp, the seventh president of the university, came into office July 1 and within two short weeks is already on the tailend of lawmakers wishing to “start a conversation.”
Written by Rep. Barbara Ehardt of Idaho Falls and signed by 28 House Republicans — including Moscow’s own Bill Goesling —, the letter came after former BSU Acting President Martin Schimpf’s newsletter last month.
In the newsletter, Schimpf addressed the university’s spending, citing recruitment of minority students and faculty, along with programs for minority students. But more importantly, he showed an understanding of the growing need not only to accommodate minorities on college campuses, but include them within the regular functions of the university.
Phrases used in the most recent letter such as “separates and segregates students,” “antithetical” and “we really do believe in doing things ‘the Idaho way’” all point toward an outdated mindset ignorant of Idaho’s long standing educational and economical issues — many of which might be entirely outside the scope of Tromp’s presidential actions.
How will this truly help college become more affordable? Historically, tuition hikes have not been directly equated to an increase in diversity programs and outreach — at least among the other 49 states.
Ehardt does not see the forward motion as inclusion, but rather acts that do not fall in line with the “Idaho way.” Instead of being viewed as a movement to create a more inclusive, diverse and unified campus, Ehardt claimed “that certain groups are treated unequally now” and it “separates and segregates students.”
“As Gov. (Brad) Little has said, we do things the Idaho way,” Ehardt states in the letter. “We believe in traditional values such as being rewarded for hard work.”
What exactly is “the Idaho way,” and why do these representatives care to pursue a path which has resulted in the state achieving a D-plus ranking in Education Week’s national report card and a spot at No. 48 in the nation for K-12 education?
The statistical problems don’t end there. Idaho ranks dead last in the nation for average weekly wages, and there may be a heavier correlation between statewide income and potential educational spending than some care to admit.
In some categories where the state gets particularly lucky, Idaho climbs as high as No. 35 or so. One such category is “chance for success.” Unfortunately, we’ll take all we can get.
In response to Schimp’s writing, Idaho Freedom Foundation President Wayne Hoffman penned a heated opinion column supporting Ehardt’s letter and condemning Boise State, while pulling University of Idaho inclusion efforts into the conversation.
Hoffman puts Boise State and UI into the same growing category of campuses that mark people as “long-suffering victims that must be shielded from the world’s awaiting injustices” and noting the university’s LGBTQA office that works to combat Hoffman’s exact mindset.
Hoffman does get one thing right though, it just happens to be in the wrong context. He states “college campuses should be welcoming places for all students and employees, of all backgrounds. Full stop. Campuses should have a laser focus on the unifying, shared desire of students who want to advance their careers and earn their degrees.”
BSU was making progress toward exactly that, but apparently just not in the appropriate “Idaho way.”
It’s time for a new “Idaho way.” Maybe we don’t need an “Idaho way.” Looking at the data, the “Idaho way” sure hasn’t done the education in this state a whole lot of good. Forward progress toward diversity and inclusion on university campuses should be celebrated and supported — especially in Idaho.
— Editorial Board