Friends,

Yesterday, the Iowa House’s new Higher Education committee passed a bill to prohibit the regent institutions in Iowa from requiring students to enroll in courses related to DEI or critical race theory. The bill does not eliminate the existence of some of these courses. And there are exemptions if the program is directly related to racial, ethnic, or gender studies. However, it eliminates the requirement for these courses if the degree the student is in pursuit of is completely unrelated.

For example, right now all Iowa State University undergraduate students are required to take a course in U.S. Cultures and Communities. Iowa State University’s website states that upon completion of this requirement, students will be able to:

Identify the experiences and contributions of underrepresented or marginalized groups and how they have shaped the history and culture of the United States.

Understand the analytical concepts of culture, ethnicity, race, gender, sexuality and/or religion and be able to apply these concepts to an analysis of the United States.

Analyze systemic oppression and personal prejudice and their impact on marginalized communities and the broader U.S.society.

Evaluate important aspects of diversity, equity, and inclusion so they can live, work, and collaborate with others in the 21st century United States.

The Regents were registered in favor of the bill, but that didn’t stop the Democrats in committee from voting against this common sense legislation.

If you ever have any questions, feel free to email me at joshua.meggers@legis.iowa.gov or visit my Facebook page at Joshua Meggers for Iowa House. Feel free to come visit me within the Capitol at any time!

——

Joshua Meggers, a Republican

from Grundy Center, represents

District 54 in the Iowa House.