The Idaho State Board of Education is seeking to dissolve diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) offices in publicly funded universities and colleges across the state. Considering Idaho ranks amongst the worst in the nation in terms of diversity with an estimated 92.5% white population, this proposition poses legitimate risk to those who do belong to minority groups.
During a meeting on Nov. 21, the board proposed a resolution to completely ban the resources that provide students with a sense of community and belonging. Offices that would be affected here at UI and other state colleges include the Women’s Center, the Black and African American Cultural Center and the LGBTQA Office among others.
Josh Whitworth, the executive director of the State Board of Education, discussed at the meeting how the plan is meant to provide all students access to success centers, saying the proposition is coming from “an inclusionary point of view.”
It is baffling how banning resources specifically meant to foster inclusion and promote diversity will actually bring forth more student community. In a homogenous place like Idaho, it can feel isolating to look around and not see others who look like you or share similar values.
DEI offices offer students a place to make friends, forge connections and celebrate their cultural identities and histories. Without them, this already heightened sense of separation will be further increased.
While resources like the Multicultural Affairs Office, Women’s Center, and LGBTQ Center seek to serve a specific population, they are also clear on their stance of welcoming all students – even if you yourself don’t fit into a certain identity, these are spaces anyone could go to find commonality and broaden your scope of understanding.
It is clear that this decision is coming from a place of attempting to depoliticize college campuses: State Board of Education Member David Turnball gave a comment that well exemplifies this, saying “identity has become a way of separating us instead of bringing us together.”
Unfortunately for the Education Board and Turnball, politics and identities are deeply steeped into higher education, a historically exclusionary facet of society. We tend to forget just how recent laws that banned desegregation in schools or allowed for equal marriage were enacted; despite how far we’ve come as a society in terms of acceptance of others, the prejudiced ideals of the recent past are still felt today.
This decision from Idaho’s Board of Education is a huge step back in terms of progress to make the world around us a more accepting and celebratory place. College campuses especially are meant to provide young adults with chances to meet new people, learn new things and overall increase understanding and tolerance. Removing DEI offices removes the tangible opportunities meant to accomplish these things.
The Board of Education has yet to make a concrete decision on the matter, but UI is preparing to meet the expectations of DEI dissolvement. While President Green assured that all staff affected by this displacement would be relocated and ensured job security, what will the students who have dedicated so much time and effort be left with? The same students whose tuition helps run this school will have the clubs and communities they’ve worked so hard to foster taken right out from under them.
While UI is a state school and therefore must abide by the decisions of the board, it’s disappointing to them bend to the will of the board, seemingly without much of a fight. This is the very school that “believe[s]” that an institution is only as strong as its ability to include diverse perspectives that critically contribute to the University of Idaho’s mission,” as per the UI Mission, Vision and Values statement.
Thankfully, because no official resolution has been made, there’s still time to make your voice heard on this matter. Dean of Students Blaine Eckles encouraged students to do so at the Nov. 21 meeting, saying “I would encourage you to exercise your right… and convey how important these programs are to you and how much you benefited from them whether you were a direct participant in the programs or not.”
As disheartening as it is that we as students and Idaho citizens must spearhead this fight even in the modern day, making your voice heard by communicating with the Board and state legislatures while this decision remains in limbo is the best plan of action to take in an attempt to save these resources.
The Board of Education will meet regarding the matter again on Dec. 18.