In anticipation of the upcoming legislative session, several universities made preemptive decisions regarding diversity, equity and inclusion.
BOISE, Idaho —
State tries to dissolve DEI without definition
The state of Idaho finds itself in a unique position: while legislators have engaged in heated debates about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs on public college campuses, the term itself remains undefined in the state code.
A previous attempt to define DEI during the last legislative session, spearheaded by Nampa Senator Brian Lenney, failed to even get a hearing in committee.
In 2023, the state’s higher education budget, which passed despite significant opposition, included a provision banning state funds from being used for DEI-related activities in Idaho colleges and universities. This has led to immediate changes at some institutions, most notably the University of Idaho.
KTVB and several members of the 208 team contacted Boise State University, the University of Idaho, and Idaho State University, but all denied an interview. So, we …