Meeting Public Comments

Subcommittee meeting and times are as follows:

A bill for an act prohibiting private institutions of higher education that participate in the Iowa tuition grant program from establishing diversity, equity, and inclusion offices. (See HF 854.)

Subcommittee members: Collins-CH, Hora, Konfrst

Date: Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Time: 12:15 PM - 12:45 PM

Location: House Lounge

Names and comments are public records. Remaining information is considered a confidential record.

Comments Submitted:

01-29-2025

Jessica Chrystal

As a single Mom of two college age boys who are attending or will be attending private in state institutions, the fact Republicans think its a good idea to punish them is sickening. How very communist of you, Taylor Collins to propose such a asnine idea of tkaing away a grant they rely on.The hypocricisy of Branstad referring to college professors as commuist yesteday isn't lost of me either. Taylor only had him say that to drum up support for a unpopular idea NO Iowan asked for that elected him.I remember a time Branstad worked along side my Uncle to feed Russians after the collapse,signed a sister city agreement and Russians & Chinese,for that matter,that stayed with us toured our public schools and colleges as a capstone of their trips. Perhaps he should sail off into retirement. The reason my kids don't want to stay in Iowa after graduation if they get to finish college at all,is because of the wasteful culture wars Republicans like Taylor wage in the legislature thats beneath the Oath they take. If Republicans want to operate Iowas higher education institutions like the Soviets they can resign and go serve in the Duma instead of thinking of ridiculous ways to punish Iowa families like mine to find more money for their out of control voucher scheme for rich families.

01-31-2025

Erica Knupp

I stand against HSB 60. I'm a current undergraduate student attending a private institution that participates in the Iowa tuition grant program. Diversity, equity, and inclusion offices are extremely important and make a significant difference in the lives of many students. We cannot and should not get rid of DEI programs. They are fundamental in creating a school environment where every student feels welcome.

01-31-2025

Evelyn Nikkel [PELLA PAC]

Thank you for bringing this absolutely necessary bill up for passage. Most Iowans (83% of Iowans are white per US Census you know, white supremacists!!) are sick and tired of colleges and universities discriminating against them because they aren't the "right" race, minority, sexual orientation, blah, blah, blah!! This bill brings common sense back to the forefront and demands the private institutions of higher education get in line with President Trump's good riddance of DEI. Discrimination helps no one!!! Color blind meritocracy for all! Thank you now maybe those applicants with real intellect will be able to get accepted into our schools and get the education of their dreams!

01-31-2025

Rick Phillips [PELLA PAC]

We register in favor of HSB60 and encourage its passage. DEI has been disastrous for young adults. It has proven to be a leading contributor of mental illness, accidents, and product failure. Most criminal and nefarious activists like to hide behind a cloak of secrecy, or as in this case, privacy or private institutions of learning. They want to hide their evil from the public eye but yet release it later and claim no responsibility. So its not a question of violating private property rights as opposed to engaging in unacceptable conduct such as administering DEI thats harmful to Iowa. A 1920s moonshiner would want to keep their activity hidden from the law but reap the financial rewards; so do the bootleggers of DEI. Lets weigh DEI on the balances of reality and truth and avoid using unreliable emotions. DEI is societal cancer that needs to be totally eradicated from Iowa education, public and private. Im sure its possible to come up with stiffer penalties so any potential offending institution is forced to weigh the consequences of pedaling such poison. Pass HSB60.

02-01-2025

Virginia Meyer

It seems that HSB 60 is another knee jerk attack on DEI. What is DEI? Lets look at each word to understand the ideas being attacked. Supporting the idea of providing a diverse experience in thought and population to give new and richer perspectives to our budding adults in colleges and universities seems integral to forming a well rounded educated citizenry. Making sure that there is equity of opportunity and protection from discrimination is a foundational value of the United States. Inclusion is a basic tenet of a moral and ethical society. I am a retired elementary school teacher. We had a little saying when a child whos was different in some way was being excluded from play or group activities. you cant say, you cant play. Even the youngest kids saw the rightness of that idea.Im not naive. I know the argument is that educational institutions DEI efforts are discriminatory against the majority (white) students. This is a twisted logic. It characterizes the effort to create a more equitable and inclusive society long plagued by racial, gender, and economic inequality as an attempt to recreated that injustice against the majority race and dominant class. Of course, the recent efforts by the state government to deny the reality of historic race and gender inequality and the continuing negative ramifications on our culture help to prop up the twisted logic against DEI. Its time to face reality and address our societal failings. This bill will not make us better, stronger, or more virtuous people. It will codify and entrench the existing problems of inequity.

02-03-2025

Katie Peterson

I oppose this bill. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs are necessary for developing empathy and uniting people. This bill is designed to manipulate private schools into discontinuing these invaluable programs at the hands of students who need tuition assistance, and it is despicable. Leave Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs alone.