The Idaho State Board of Education held a special board meeting on Thursday, Nov. 21. At the meeting, State Board members discussed draft resolutions to remove Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs from Idaho institutions. No decisions regarding the elimination of DEI were made at the meeting.
Director Joshua Whitworth highlighted that the purpose of these resolutions is to address the growing sentiment around the nation about higher education and the impact on the thoughts and ideas it delivers. He also stated that the resolutions do not address one particular body of students or population, but rather to set the expectation that institutions are looking at the student body as a whole.
“Each resolution is a representation of the authority invested in the board by our constitution and also by its statutes in Idaho,” Whitworth said.
The first resolution is to maintain equality of opportunity. According to Whitworth, this would keep academic opportunities merit based and make sure people make action toward their success. This would not remove support for students but rather make it so all students have support. This would make student success centers dedicated to all students.
The second resolution is to ensure that institution leaders have the responsibility to make decisions that are important to the success of their institutions and that the leaders can be held accountable if they don’t. Whitworth articulated that most of what is in this resolution already exists in policy.
The third resolution is to ensure freedom of expression in higher education. According to Whitworth, this resolution would promote an environment where free speech could be supported to its fullest extent. He also stated that students cannot be compelled to personally affirm, adopt or adhere to any political, religious or philosophical ideology. The resolution also sets the expectation of neutrality from institutions.
It should be noted that these expectations are already a part of Idaho State Board of Education policy.
Kurt Liebich, the Planning, Policy and Governmental Affairs Chair commented on these resolutions.
“Nationally, higher-ed has a real problem and it showed up recently in a Gallup poll where 36% of Americans have confidence in higher-ed. A lot of it comes down to, ‘Is it worth the investment?’” Liebich said.
According to Liebich, many Americans believe that college campuses have become politicized. He doesn’t think that Idaho institutions have the same problems that many other institutions have around the country. He thinks the State Board of Education should recognize that the perception of Idahoans is being shaped by the national dialogue and that it is important for the board to come out and be leaders for the state.
The only problem Liebich had with the resolutions was the broad language used in them. He believes that Idaho institutions might eliminate programs that might be misinterpreted in the broad language.
Board Member David Turnbull commented by referencing American social psychologist Jonathan Haidt by saying that DEI started with allottable goals but has morphed into a perverse sense of identitarianism.
“Identity has become a way of separating us instead of bringing us together,” Turnbull said.
Whitworth clarified that DEI programs would be replaced with Centers for Student Success to support students holistically. He said that it would not just be a rename, but rather a structural change to how the support programs work. This decision was based off what multiple other states have done when they got rid of DEI programs.
For the next step in the process, the State Board of Education plans to sit down and have more discussions with Idaho institution presidents about deciding what to do next.
After the board meeting, Senior Director of Communications for the University of Idaho, Jodi Walker, gave a statement to the Argonaut.
“We continue to discuss how to meet the expectations of our board and the legislature. Among those conversations is closure of our DEI-related units. In light of the information provided at today’s board meeting, we are evaluating our options and working with the board to provide input and feedback to their resolution. Ultimately, we will comply with any resolutions or policies they establish,” Walker said.
Ben DeWitt can be reached at [email protected]