BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho State Board of Education unanimously approved a resolution Wednesday banning diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and policy in all public colleges and universities in the state.
The resolution forbids the University of Idaho, Boise State University, Lewis-Clark State College and Idaho State University from establishing or maintaining any central office, policy, procedure or initiative that promotes “DEI ideology.”
The policy also states that colleges and universities are prohibited from operating support centers for students that are based on “DEI ideology.”
According to the resolution, “DEI ideology” is defined as any approach that prioritizes “personal identity characteristics”—such as race, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, or gender identity—over individual merit.
This vote follows several months of drafts and discussions regarding the implementation of “DEI ideology” policy across the board’s colleges and universities.
The board received nearly 700 comments from students out of approximately 45,000 enrolled.
According to the board, about 10% of these comments supported the resolution, while 9% expressed indifference. However, a significant majority—around 81%—of student comments opposed this resolution.
During the discussion on the resolution, Lewis-Clark State College President Cynthia Pemberton stated that this policy would not affect the college’s ability to support students in public and state expectations.
“These resolutions which, you know, basically prohibit, you know, using personal characteristics such as race and gender, you know, do affect our programs,” said University of Idaho President Scott Green, adding, “We are disappointed, but not surprised that it’s come to this.”
The board now asks all colleges and universities to implement these policies no later than June 30, 2025, which all school presidents agreed would be obtainable.
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