Meeting Public Comments

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HF 269

A bill for an act prohibiting certain requirements for students and faculty at regents institutions relating to diversity, equity, inclusion, and critical race theory and including applicability provisions. (Formerly HSB 53.)

Agenda

Subcommittee members: Gruenhagen-CH, Pike, Quirmbach

Date: Monday, March 31, 2025

Time: 12:30 PM - 1:00 PM

Location: Senate Lounge

Comments Submitted:

The purpose of comments is to provide information to members of the subcommittee.

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

03-28-2025

Rebekah Jacobs

Please vote Opposed to HF 269. DEI is essential in preparing students for a global workforce. In today's interconnected world, individuals need to be able to work with other people from different backgrounds and adapt to the social dynamics that come with those differences. Individuals need to be able to question their own assumptions and be self aware of any preconceived ideas they may have about another person based on those assumptions. Removing DEI from our college curriculum will make Iowa Students less marketable, and diminish their ability to think critically about intrapersonal dynamics. When a concept is challenging, it belongs in higher education to be explored and critically dissected; it should not be censored.

03-30-2025

Grace Rogers

VOTE NO to HF 269. This bill will adversely affect Iowa graduates' ability to market themselves as critical thinkers. All jobs should involve knowledge of diversity, equity, inclusion, and personal biases. This knowledge and these words should not be prohibited in any way. Being UNCOMFORTABLE in learning about these things doesn't mean the knowledge you're hearing is bad or wrong; it is part of the learning process. Please do not pass this bill!

03-30-2025

Jean McDonald

I whole heartedly OPPOSE HF 269. Daughter of staunch republicans, a lifetime educator, mother, spouse, and elder in my Presbyterian Church, the values I learned in the home which informed my actions in each of these roles, have been founded in decency and the core belief that "even the least among you," deserves to be respected with equal regard. In government this translates to mean equal protections, and accommodations when the playing field is not level. I do not know a family that would not be unwittingly and negatively effected by this bill. This bill would not only undo years of arduous progress, but appeal to the basest of human nature that is abundantly and tragically displayed in the actions of its proponents. Confirmation is not education. Less for others is not more for you. Fear of those for whom you lack understanding is not Christian love. Oppose this bill.

03-30-2025

Stacy Volmer

I strongly oppose House File 269. This bill undermines academic freedom by restricting discussions on diversity, equity, inclusion, and critical race theory in higher education. It limits students' exposure to essential perspectives, hindering their ability to understand complex social issues. Additionally, it interferes with faculty autonomy and weakens efforts to create inclusive learning environments. By censoring these topics, the bill makes Iowas colleges and universities less appealing to prospective students seeking a comprehensive, wellrounded education. Silencing these conversations does not eliminate inequality it merely hides it. I urge lawmakers to reject HF 269 and support free inquiry and inclusive education.

03-30-2025

Geri Buelow

Hf269 vote no. We must teach our children the truth even when it's ugly. If we don't teach them reality and history we will repeat it. You can't erase history. They will discover it and then not trust as if u leave out the truth you are not trustworthy.

03-30-2025

Ann Pelelo

Please please allow the trained and educated professors be in charge of disseminating the knowledge in our disciplines. Furthermore, why stop us from discussing the truth of this countrys past and present? How does that make the US better? Create critical thinkers to lead the next generation? Its lunacy to dictate college course content in a free country!

03-30-2025

Tessa Truex

Vote NO on this bill. This bill is a misguided attempt to stifle academic freedom and limit the ability of educators to discuss and teach critical concepts. By passing this bill, we risk undermining the principles of inclusivity and diversity that are essential to creating a welcoming and equitable learning environment. Furthermore, this bill may have unintended consequences, such as limiting the ability of institutions to address systemic inequalities and promote social justice.

03-30-2025

Katherine Christensen

Please OPPOSE this bill. It claims to be "Freedom from Indoctrination" but this is really a restriction on information. The government does not need to interfere with what an institution of learning teaches, this attempt to do so is an example of BIG government, not what Iowa needs.

03-30-2025

Brenda Barton

What kind of freedom is this? The Legislature seems to think they are experts in all fields, medicine, education, parenting,ecology, economics, the environment. Sadly you are lacking knowledge in all of the above. How dare you dictate what can be taught in our institutions of learning. The complete and utter arrogance proves your ignorance. Just stop!

03-30-2025

Heather Frees

I oppose this amendment. It gives no freedom, rather it takes freedom of information away from students. Learning about our nations history and the struggles of marginalized groups, past and present is an important component of a quality education. It behooves us as a diverse society to understand the history, perspectives, and experiences of all Americans in order to create a more stable and peaceful society. I am an educator here in Iowa, and our children deserve to understand all historical perspectives, not just the perspectives of those in power. Real history is always uncomfortable and real societies always have problems that need to be addressed. Censoring information doesnt make those problems or that history go away, but it will sow distrust in our leaders for suppressing the information. Please vote no on this amendment.

03-30-2025

Teresa Wellmam

Please OPPOSE this bill. It throws a bunch of reportedly woke terms out there without any true meaning. Its imperative that our universities are free to discuss all topics of sociology and human behaviors so as to broaden the horizons of our young people coming from their tiny communities. They need to learn that the world is diverse. They need to learn to embrace justice and the rule of law, as well as those laws written against various people that we as a country were able to overcome during the Civil Rights era. They need to meet and learn about other people and cultures and how to include everyone in a democratic society. If they happen to study law, then yes, they may study critical race theory and learn why there are so few PoC in IAs agriculture industry and in the state as a whole. Please stop with the nanny state nonsense. Our young people are watching. They know better.

03-30-2025

Anita Christensen

Please oppose HF 269. Our children deserve an education that teaches them a true history of our past and present society, bad and good, so we can move forward together. It serves no good purpose to hide the truth of the world from them. There are many who are helped by rules of inclusion. Vote no on HF 269.

03-30-2025

India Watson

I know our Congress members care deeply about citizens freedom and ensuring young people receive a strong education that prepares them for the future. Thats why I urge you to vote NO on HF269because true education is about teaching students how to assess information, not limiting access to information.Our nations history is complex, and understanding different perspectives makes students more capable leaders, workers, and citizens. You cant read the US Constitution without seeing evidence of real racism (the ThreeFifth Clause, Fugitive Slave Clause, Slave Trade Clause, etc) throughout our nations history. Shielding them from discussions of race, history, and social structures doesnt make these issues disappearit just leaves young people unprepared to navigate the world and angry that they were taught lies and halftruths by the elders they trusted. Congress members, you are those elders that students trust today. Do the right thing.Rather than silencing ideas, lets trust students to reach their own conclusions and continue to arm them with the facts. Vote NO on HF269.

03-31-2025

Lori Enloe

Vote NO on HF 269As a health care provider, I know through research that an individual's race, life experience, their socioeconomic status, and their cultural history, disabilities greatly affects their well being and I need to be educated about these issues in order to assist people.In order to exist in society, people need to understand who others are and their history.

03-31-2025

Ambre Grund

Please oppose this bill. The vagueness of the requirements of the bill puts institutions and professors in the position of censoring content and freedom of speech. The bill says institutions should not require professional development that promotes diversity, equity or inclusion. Does that mean workshops on sexual assault on campus or training for supporting students with disabilities in class is not allowed? If a book discusses critical race theory in one chapter only is that book now censored? Should students getting a history major not have courses on slavery or World War II, or the Civil Rights movement because there might be content about white slave owners or the German concentration camps? I understand there is a desire to put more conservative points of view into colleges, but that should occur through open and free expression and exchange, not this bill censoring freedom of speech.

03-31-2025

Ann Tigges

I am opposed to HF 269 because students attending college should be free to decide what they want to learn. If they are allowed to vote and join the military, then they should also have the right to learn about American history and how we got here without it being whitewashed. If more of our representatives took these classes they would realize legislation like this is doomed to fail.

03-31-2025

Lyndi Collins

Iowas students will be at a disadvantage if they dont have an understanding of the complex interactions among human beings. Let the social scientists and other experts determine what is necessary content for their students to learn in order to be successful.

03-31-2025

Kate Fairfax

Please vote no against HF 269. It is essential for our children, and everyone in the community, to learn our true history as a country and world. It is essential for us to see, interact, learn from, etc people who are different than we are. Without learning these things history will continue to be repeated. The federal government seems to want that to happen, but you should know better! Do better for Iowans!

03-31-2025

Justin Scott

Please oppose this bill. Here's why:For a party that constantly cries about "freedom," Republicans sure love banning ideas they don't like. Under this bill, Iowa's students will be denied an honest education about history, society, and the realities of oppression. Censoring discussions of racism, sexism, and privilege doesn't erase these issuesit just ensures ignorance prevails.Knowledge should never be sacrificed to appease the fragile egos of politicians who fear the truth.Iowas reputation as a place of learning and progress is being dragged backward by extremists who reject education. Our students deserve the ability to think critically, not a whitewashed, statesanctioned fantasy.With each attack on history, science, and higher education, the GOP proves it values control over truth. Allowing this bill to pass would be a disgrace to Iowas legacy of strong public education.Gutting academic freedom is an authoritarian move, not a democratic one.Only cowards fear open discussion, and only the guilty fear history being taught.Please reject this disgraceful bill and stand up for real education in Iowa.

03-31-2025

Jonathan Danker

I OPPOSE this bill because the Students should have a right to learn whatever their want. In order to continue of being a better country, we need to learn to our history even though we dont like it. We cant relive the horrors of our past. We are facing Inflation, high Cancer rates, rise in taxes and people leaving Iowa for their own safety and this bill should not be a priority for us. Dont believe in everything you hear from the internet and start looking and listening to real problems facing our country. So if you truly listen to majority of Iowans, DONT PASS HF269.

03-31-2025

Tasha Arhart

Say no to HF 269!This bill is nothing more than a thin veneer to erase people that the current Iowa government deems undesirable. I cannot speak for other groups that fall under what this committe deems DEI, but I can speak as a woman. This bill will undoubtedly ban university from speaking about women's history and achievements. Many women fought and died for the rights I have today, and they deserved to be remembered.We have already seen women's history and groups being erased on a federal level by the Trump administration. Iowa should not join them by erasing women from our universities.

03-31-2025

Tyler Lubben

Silencing discourse and preventing people from learning about America's complicated history is itself indoctrination. Not all subjects are easy to process, but banning anything that makes you uncomfortable will do no good for anyone in the long run. You have an opportunity to ensure people do NOT repeat history yet again, but sweeping anything under the rug that does not trumpet "American Exceptionalism" will only further push down anyone in the minority.

03-31-2025

Bradford T

Oppose. By removing necessary standards to make Iowan students competitive in the global marketplace, you only make it more difficult to produce and attract talent as more and more will be forced to seek education elsewhere and accelerate the brain drain that is already creating great harm to the state.For the members of the committee that can't read the above, dumb students = bad.

03-31-2025

Karen Maass

I strongly oppose. There will be no instruction in intellectual freedom or higher learning in the university if you also ban any information on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. It is an oxymoron. How do you advocate for freedom and then tell a university what they are going to teach? I myself could have not entered into the profession I did if I did not learn about different cultures, customs and different people around me. You cannot erase individuals that you will come across in your job every day.

04-01-2025

Benjamin Larson [Nebraska Cardiac Care]

Vote No on this trash. Whats the end goal of making people not learn racial inequalities? How does that improve anyone's lives? At best this will just leave the average Iowan dumber and unable to compete with other college graduates. A general ban on the teachings of racial issues in this nation is laughable; this is just a goal pushed by culture warriors quietly shoved into extremism by actual racists. Imagine being so ashamed of your past that you make it illegal to teach it to your children.

04-01-2025

Nancy Chaffee

Please do not support this bill. Learning about diversity, equity, inclusion, and systemic racism does not indoctrinate students. It gives them understanding of the broader world. Limiting the ability of an institution to educate students on only one way of thinking indoctrinates them and that is what this bill will do. Do not support this bill.