DEI Offices Closed
BY MONICA CARRILLO
The Idaho State Board of Education unanimously announced last Wednesday to keep public state colleges and universities from maintaining diversity, equity and inclusion offices.
This resolution includes University of Idaho, Boise State University, Idaho State University and Lewis-Clark College and impacts offices that specifically serve students of color and/or individuals identifying as LGBTQIA.
The resolution also forbids the universities from creating “central offices, policies, procedures, or initiatives [that] are dedicated to DEI ideology,” according to the text.
“I believe our actions as a Board today are a strong signal to all Idaho students that our institutions are prepared to meet whatever needs they have when they walk through the door,” said Dr. Linda Clark, president of the board. “I am looking forward to seeing our universities implement these resolutions while we continue working on the issue as a Board.”
During the school board meeting, Scott Green, University of Idaho school president, said he wasn’t “surprised” when it came down to the final decision last Wednesday. He has spoken out against the resolution in the past.
“All students are welcome at UI,” the school said in a statement.
They have also added that any students impacted by the changes can call the Counseling and Mental Health Center at (208) 885-6716.
According to data from UnivStats, it says Idaho’s higher education institutions have enrolled 127,063 students for the 2023-2024 academic year.
This includes 15.4% of Hispanic/Latino, 1.9% Black/African American and 1.7% Asian — many of whom have benefited from connecting to diversity, equity and inclusion offices.
Boise State University has already closed their Student Equity Center and Gender Equity Center over Thanksgiving break. The University of Idaho will have closed their offices before the spring semester starts.
All other Institutions are required to comply with the resolution by June 30, 2025.
