After Iowa Board of Regents abolish higher ed DEI initiatives, high-paid deans on chopping block

Well-paid DEI officials at Iowa State University, the University of Northern Iowa, and the University of Iowa could soon be out of jobs, following a vote by the board of trustees.

The Iowa Board of Regents recently approved a proposal to abolish all “diversity, equity, and inclusion” initiatives at public universities that are not required for compliance with state law.

The proposal followed a legislatively mandated study group report that examined DEI programs, compensation of DEI officials, and other DEI-related requirements at several of the state’s top public universities.

University of Iowa’s associate vice president for its DEI division makes nearly $375,000 per year in compensation, according to the report.