(Des Moines, Iowa) – Des Moines Area Community College will continue to review materials it has removed from its website relating to diversity, equity and inclusion after legislation that would bar community colleges from maintaining DEI offices was tabled, President Rob Denson told the college board of trustees Monday. The Iowa Capital Dispatch reports the community college announced in an email to students, staff and faculty Jan. 25 that in response to uncertainty surrounding DEI and with federal and state actions being taken against it, “certain DMACC websites that may conflict with state or federal legislative action will be taken down until further notice.”

Denson said the removed online materials are being examined by the college to identify what information can be published again, a process which could take “several months.” According to the email, meetings of the diversity commission and DEI task force have also been halted until further notice, and training courses touching on DEI have been canceled. Denson said the Iowa Legislature, specifically the new House Higher Education Committee, are taking a hard look at DEI on college campuses. The Legislature has turned its eye to private and community colleges this session, considering bills that would prohibit DEI offices at private universities participating in the Iowa Tuition Grant program and add community colleges to legislation passed last year barring state universities from having DEI offices.

DMACC President Rob Denson told board of trustee members the college will review DEI language taken offline in response to legislative actions. (Photo by Brooklyn Draisey/Iowa Capital Dispatch

Rep. Taylor Collins, R-Mediapolis, tabled the legislation aimed at community colleges, saying colleges have already come into compliance with recommendations made by Community Colleges for Iowa relating to DEI, or are currently working on updating their programs. Denson said in the meeting the college is still focused on student success.