In an email to University of Idaho alumni, President Scott Green addressed the threats higher education funding has faced in the Idaho Legislature due to special interest groups.
“These interests represent a libertarian-based ideology, the principles of which generally do not believe any public funding should be used for public education,” Green stated in the email. “The misinformation and half-truths spread are directly impacting higher education funding by the Idaho Legislature.”
Green’s message follows the Idaho House’s failure to pass the higher education budget, Senate Bill 1179, on April 7. The bill passed the Senate back in March, allocating over $631 million to Idaho’s four-year institutions. This budget included a cut to Boise State University’s budget due to allegations of a “social justice agenda.”
“They have targeted and tried to redefine issues of diversity, inclusion and social justice to create an illusion that higher education in Idaho is actively pushing a political agenda wrought with “leftist” indoctrination,” Green stated. “With the help and financial support of interests inside and outside of our state, this narrative gained enough traction to lead our legislators to defeat the higher education funding bill this week.”
The special interest group working against a higher education funding bill is the Idaho Freedom Foundation. The foundation has maintained a focus on the separation of government from public institutions, such as universities.
IFF’s mass submission form was made for opponents of the bill to send to representatives, promoting the idea that Idaho’s universities play a role in promoting a social justice agenda.
“Radical leftists are training our college students to hate America, and we are paying for it,” the IFF states. “If we are to survive as a state and as a country, we have got to stop funding programs and entities that deride all the good things about our nation.”
In his email, Green denied views that the university promotes indoctrination of a political leaning. instead promoting an open dialogue of opposing views among UI faculty and students.
“It is imperative the entire body hears directly from more than special interests and understands that public higher education needs public funding,” Green stated. “The health of our educational institutions, state and your business depend on it.”
Haadiya Tariq can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @haadiyatariq