Eight UI diversity councils no longer recognized as of Monday

University of Iowa diversity councils, including the African American Council, Latinx Council, Veterans and Military Council, Native American Council, and others, will no longer receive support from the university in compliance with Senate File 2435 of Iowa Code chapter 261J.

Emma Jane, News Reporter

February 17, 2025

Cody Blissett

The Old Capitol Building is seen in Iowa City on Tuesday, April 25, 2023.

As of Monday, Feb. 17, the following University of Iowa councils will no longer be recognized by the university:

Council on the Status of Women
African American Council
Latinx Council
Council on Disability Awareness
Veterans and Military Council
Pan Asian Council
Native American Council
LGBTQ+ Council

Chris Brewer, public relations manager for the UI, said this decision was made in compliance with Senate File 2435 of Iowa Code chapter 261J, which establishes restrictions on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in education.

“All diversity councils will transition to informal groups on Feb. 17, 2025, which means they operate independently and are not officially recognized, represented by, or overseen by the university,” Brewer wrote in an email to The Daily Iowan.

Brewer said some diversity councils would be considered central DEI offices and, therefore, are not compliant with the new law.

“Informal groups manage their own resources and meeting times outside of regular working hours and without university branding or communications support,” Brewer wrote.

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