BOISE, Idaho — Idaho lawmakers introduced a bill that would ban diversity, equity and inclusion offices from public universities. Some of these centers include supporting women and diverse students. Similar movements have been made in other states like Oklahoma and Texas.
If passed Senate Bill 1357 would prohibit Idaho’s public colleges and universities the use of public funds to support diversity, equity and inclusion. Affecting staff members, offices and trainings.
“We don't want to support them in the sense that where they spent a lot of taxpayer money going after LGBTQ diversity, equity inclusion, as if that's a special class of person, and spending a lot of taxpayer money to really encourage that class of person over and above others," bill sponsor Sen. Scott Herndon said.
He said the bill would save the state $3,227,000 per year.
"We don't want to literally pay $4 million in taxpayer money just to target one specific class of students,” Herndon said.
Boise community leader and University of Idaho Alumna Ismael Mendoza said that is a misconception.
"I feel like people think you need to be diverse just to be a part of these organizations. I look at these offices more as equalizers,” Mendoza said.
Herndon doesn’t agree, calling the centers a way of segregating students.
"There was diversifying and segregating groups, that's not how you get equal treatment. Where you get equal treatment is basically have a level playing field,” Herndon said.
University of Idaho students Anthony Gonzalez and Andrea Morales said opportunities to get into higher education are not equal and programs like these are necessary for their success.
“Personally, I'd be completely lost, moving into university, not knowing what to do. But these programs not only cultivated a sense of belonging for me at the University in a place where I feel like I see very little real presentation," Morales said.
"It just hits close to home for me just because, again, like I'm in these programs, and they've helped me out so much," Gonzalez said.
From his own experience, Gonzalez said removing these offices would also remove students like him from attending school.
"If we take people of color, and people from underrepresented backgrounds, away from certain job titles, I think it removes the culture, and it removes the diversity, and it removes the knowledge that we know from those areas,” Gonzalez said.
According to a 2023 report from the Idaho State Board of Education, there was an increase in overall enrollment numbers at Idaho’s higher education institutions.
"We have universities that are very effectively recruiting and if you look at student populations at the universities, they've been on a steady increase,” Herndon said.
KTVB’s Brenda Rodriguez asked Herndon if he thinks this bill will potentially drop enrollment numbers. He said, “I don’t think so at all.”
Mendoza said if it weren’t for DEI offices, he wouldn’t have pursued higher education.
Senate Bill 1357 is in the Senate State Affairs Committee waiting for public testimony.
"We expect that it will get a fair hearing and that members of this body will get an opportunity to consider the legislation,” Herndon said.
With the bill officially printed, students are waiting for their chance to testify in committee to advocate to protect their safe spaces.
“It’s just super important to keep people aware of what's happening, and, you know, prepare for things to happen to, you know, just in case,” said Gonzalez.
"Just thinking about other students not being able to experience that, will truly be heartbreaking,” Mendoza said.
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