The University of Iowa announces plans to close its Department of Gender, Women’s and Sexuality Studies
The University of Iowa has announced it will close its Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies department as the state’s public universities continue to respond to the changing landscape of DEI.
“Under this proposed plan, the college will close the departments of American Studies and Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies, as well as the current majors in American Studies and Social Justice, which have less than 60 students combined, and build a new one. major in Social and Cultural Analysis,” the University of Iowa announced in a Dec. 17 press release.
The decision comes after the Iowa State Board approved 10 recommendations to reduce diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the Hawkeye State.
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The University of Iowa has announced it will close its Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies department as the state’s public universities continue to respond to the changing landscape of DEI. (Getty Images)
“We are excited to reposition these programs for the future,” said dean of the University of Iowa’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), Sara Sanders. “The creation of the School of Social and Cultural Analysis will allow us to build on our great heritage in areas important to our mission, while creating sustainable structures and an environment for innovative new studies.”
“Right now, these programs are run by multiple department chairs and multiple directors,” said CLAS director of arts and humanities, Roland Racevskis. “Under this proposed plan, the school will have one team of leaders willing to oversee the implementation of the programs.
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The announcement stated that the proposal would take effect on July 1, 2025, if it is successfully approved at the February Board of Regents meeting. (Getty Images)
“Students in this course will be able to connect their individual knowledge and perspectives to larger social contexts,” CLAS director of undergraduate education, Cornelia Lang, said. “This will prepare them well for potential careers or graduates in cultural studies and related fields by using flexible skills such as analytical thinking, effective communication, and research.”
The announcement stated that the proposal would take effect on July 1, 2025, if it is successfully approved at the February Board of Regents meeting.
The University of Iowa is not the only academic institution to change its status in DEI programs in recent months.
The University of Michigan ended its requirement for DEI statements on faculty hires, promotions and tenure this month. The University of Austin (UATX), a private liberal arts university, also replaced DEI with merit-based programs this year.
Some states, including Florida, have limited or banned DEI funding for federal agencies.
The University of Iowa did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
Fox News’ Taylor Penley contributed to this report.
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