SAU Weekly’s Luke Vera sits down with members of our Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to discuss the implications of the state’s ban on DEI programs at public universities. Although the ban does not impact our program here at St. Ambrose, its impact is still being felt across the state.

Davenport, IA – In November, the Iowa government passed an 11th-hour bill that just barely made it through. That bill stated that funding for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion offices in Iowa public universities would be drastically different moving forward. Positions would have to be cut and sometimes entire offices closed. Funding was cut, positions had to be taken away, and students are the ones taking the worst of it.

The University of Iowa, Iowa State, and UNI are the schools affected the most as they have the largest student population out of the public universities in the state. With all of those schools being white presenting, the DEI offices were a crucial aspect of helping minority students feel welcomed and at home. A more difficult task at the heart of the Midwest.

Ryan Saddler has a similar job in the student activities office. “Making sure that human beings feel like human beings.”

While SAU is a private university and won’t have a direct impact, the trickle-down effect has yet to be felt. Iowa legislation put this mark on schools across the state not only those impacted. Students looking for assistance here at SAU can be assured that every staff member(and graduate assistant) is there to help them.

“These are very active groups…led by our students.” Abby Ryan highlights just a few of the minority-based student groups on campus that are active and welcoming to all who want to keep pushing SAU forward into a better future.

The DEI office here at SAU is committed to continuing support for those student groups and will continue to welcome any and all students who feel that they are lacking support in diversity, equity, or inclusivity to come forward. Ryan Saddler and his staff want to hear your voice.

Governor Kim Reynolds has yet to sign this bill into law, however, schools will have to make due for now.