Imagine sitting in a university classroom, ready to debate a complex issue, only to realize your professor is afraid to teach it fully, because a state policy now dictates how “controversial” subjects must be presented. This is the reality unfolding at Iowa’s public universities, where the Board of Regents has approved a policy requiring faculty to present “both sides” of contentious topics and ensure that students’ grades never reflect agreement or disagreement with any viewpoint.On paper, it may sound like a push for fairness. In practice, it’s a chilling message to educators: be cautious, avoid provocation, and steer clear of anything that might attract political scrutiny. Lessons from Indiana show how such policies can quickly shift from “guidelines” to threats, policing not just content, but thought itself.
From DEI bans to classroom oversight
This policy didn’t appear overnight. It followed Iowa’s 2024 budget bill, which banned DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) offices and restricted programs related to race, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Even before the law officially went into effect, universities hurried to comply. In 2025, lawmakers attempted to extend this control to courses, proposing HF 269, which would have blocked students from completing classes containing DEI or CRT content. The bill stalled—but the Board of Regents proposed a near-identical policy, raising alarm among faculty and students alike.Pressure escalated when covertly recorded videos surfaced, showing staff discussing how they were navigating the DEI ban. Politicians used these clips as evidence of “dodging the law,” and Governor Kim Reynolds demanded immediate action. The resulting classroom policy, while stripping direct references to DEI or CRT, doubled down on monitoring how professors teach, passing with only one dissenting vote.
The chilling effect on learning
Faculty now face a dilemma: they can teach fully and risk political backlash, or play it safe and avoid controversy. The result is self-censorship, watered-down debate, and fewer opportunities for students to engage with challenging ideas. Concerns have been raised about how policies requiring the presentation of “both sides” of sensitive historical events could undermine the integrity of education. Mandated neutrality, rather than fostering open discussion, can easily become a form of censorship.Classrooms are meant to be spaces of rigorous intellectual exchange. When politics dictates content, the very essence of higher education—critical thinking, debate, and fearless inquiry—is at risk.
Beyond policy: A pattern of intimidation
What’s happening in Iowa is not just about DEI or controversial topics. It’s a broader pattern: political actors leveraging fear, public outrage, and covert recordings to influence university decisions outside normal legislative channels. Each new restriction sets the stage for the next, threatening not only faculty independence but also students’ freedom to learn.Academic freedom exists to protect scholarship, not politics. Iowa’s professors should be trusted to teach with expertise, not constrained by fear of scrutiny. The Board of Regents, lawmakers, and Governor Reynolds must step back—before the classroom becomes just another battleground for ideological control.This article is based on reporting and analysis by PEN.org.
