Iowa Board of Regents Delays Policy Banning Required DEI, CRT Courses

The Iowa Board of Regents has postponed the vote on a proposed policy that would ban public universities from requiring courses with substantial content related to diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), and critical race theory (CRT) to fulfill major, minor, or certificate requirements. The delay followed strong opposition from faculty, students, and unions who argue the policy infringes on academic freedom, restricts open discourse, and amounts to censorship. Regents acknowledged the need to clarify the policy, particularly the vague term 'substantial,' and plan to revise the proposal before a final vote in July, allowing time for public input and university review. Board chair David Barker emphasized the policy’s aim is not to suppress viewpoints but to prevent controversial ideas from being presented as settled facts, citing concerns about a broader crisis of confidence in higher education. Critics, including graduate students and faculty, described the policy as authoritarian and harmful to truthful education, especially in disciplines like history, public health, and gender studies. The board now intends to improve the draft policy after receiving numerous comments, with implementation planned for July 2026 if approved.