Change in DEI legislation impacting many Cedar Valley programs, departments

The Waterloo Community School District cancels an annual event celebrating African American authors out of fear they will lose federal funding due to recent anti-DEI legislation. 

In February many schools take the time to celebrate Black History Month, celebrating black voices, encouraging further diversity, and acknowledging the many obstacles black individuals faced throughout history. However, recent anti-DEI legislations have forced some schools to take steps backward. The Waterloo Community School District had recently decided to cancel the annual African American Read-In this year, which was scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 20, for fear of losing federal funding due to current anti-DEI legislation. 

In an email obtained by Iowa Public Radio (IPR) the district writes that this year’s selected book, All Because You Matter, written by Tami Charles and illustrated by Bryan Collier, may not comply with the latest federal mandates. Moreover, the books that were planned to be sent home with students will be returned.

Currently, DEI has become a hot topic in politics; many argue that the programs are ineffective and discriminatory while others claim it’s essential for those who come from diverse backgrounds, especially now, with ongoing executive orders from President Donald Trump, including declarations to promote more “patriotic” education (as detailed by The New York Times) by cracking down on many DEI related programs and services. 

This struggle details decades of loss of progress for select minority groups according to junior Thelma Culpepper, a BSU (Black Student Union) member.

“It prevents people from learning about their cultures at school,” Culpepper said. “Sometimes it’s not always easy to learn about it at home, especially if you have parents who don’t really talk about it or they don’t want to. It’s not fair to certain groups. Those who identify as white get to learn everything about their culture, but for African Americans or Asians or Hispanics, it may be hidden because they don’t have the resources they need.”

Despite most anti-DEI politicians proceeding to complain about “DEI hires” like the circumstances regarding Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential election, hiring offices that support DEI practices aren’t the only ones under the chopping block. Back in 2024, The University of Northern Iowa (UNI) had to reconsider their DEI services under laws signed by Iowa Governor, Kim Reynolds, prohibiting the “establishing, maintaining or funding of a diversity, equity, and inclusion office or hiring an individual to perform the duties of a diversity, equity and inclusion office, except as otherwise provided by law or accreditation standards.” Under this new law, several programs and positions were cut from UNI, including the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Social Justice; The Center for Gender and Sexuality Services; LGBTQ+ Student Services Coordinator; Multicultural Education Coordinator, etc. 

Although some programs were exempt, many still scrambled to abide by these new guidelines. Positions such as the Assistant Director Diversity Recruitment having to be renamed to the Assistant Director of Outreach and Access and the Military and Veteran Students Service Office, which fell under The Office of Diversity, was reorganized into the Division of Student Life. 

After protests from students and months of review from a study group focused on these DEI programs, the board overseeing these new changes agreed to recommendations served to them by the aforementioned DEI study group. These recommendations advocate for the restructure of some offices and request of additional review into DEI positions necessary for compliance, accreditation and student or faculty support. 

Similarly to what happened with regent universities like UNI in 2024, education departments will again have to reconsider their DEI programs in order to now meet the new federal legislation and guidelines set up by the Trump administration. 

“Some of the programs that might be stopped or may be stopped will do me and many others a lot of harm. People become unable to find their community with others regarding their culture, race or learning,” Culpepper said.