Above: Ryan Saddler, Associate Vice President for Access, Opportunity, and Community, works at his desk.
SAU Media major and Buzz writer Grant Ward writes a special spring semester series on the issue of DEI at St. Ambrose.
SAU DEI programs are currently under review following pressure from state and federal authorities. At the Iowa State Legislature, committee-approved HSB60 is a bill prohibiting diversity, equity, and inclusion offices at Iowa’s private colleges.
This push comes at the same time as the Dear Colleague letter from Craig Trainor, Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights for the United States Department of Education.
Trainor describes his belief that “Educational institutions have toxically indoctrinated students with the false premise that the United States is built upon ‘systemic and structural racism’…
“Proponents of these discriminatory practices have attempted to further justify them – particularly during the last four years – under the banner of ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion…”
Ryan Saddler, originally the SAU Associate Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, has had his title changed to Associate Vice President for Access, Opportunity, and Community due to this pressure.
Saddler responded to the federal regulations in an interview with SAUtv, stating, “The reality is we have to get to work and really look at how we continue to be there for our students…that we’ve always been there for.
“To continue to allow students to live out their God-given dignity and worth…to acknowledge the fact that students are human beings regardless of their social location, regardless of their race, regardless of how they identify themselves.
“We still have something in place that students feel as if they can go to that place to ensure that they know they belong here.”
Dr. Novak’s Response
St. Ambrose President Dr. Amy Novak sent an email to all faculty and staff for a forum, which took place on Wednesday, February 26th.
“Earlier this week, I met with faculty and staff most directly affected, and our team has also engaged with key student leaders who have voiced their concerns.
“I want to be clear: policies and legislation at both the state and federal levels are evolving, and what we know today could change tomorrow.
“As of now, neither the Dear Colleague letter nor HSB 60 impacts our curriculum or student groups, though we may need to adjust certain efforts to remain compliant.”
Adjustments being made are due to the risk of losing tuition grant funding if HSB 60 is passed.
In a KWQC Channel 6 report, Dr. Novak discussed how Catholic principles align with the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
“The word inclusive suggests we welcome people of all backgrounds, and we do so form a place of courage, a commitment to wisdom, a commitment to leading with justice and service. That’s who we are…
“That doesn’t change…we will continue to be committed to helping serve students.”
Nationwide DEI Attacks
Attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DEI for short, have increased in the past few months with the transition into the new Trump Administration.
In January, Elon Musk tweeted, “DEI means people DIE,” in response to a claim that the 2025 California wildfires wouldn’t have caused as much damage if Los Angeles hadn’t spent money on DEI.
Later that month, ABC News reported that President Trump blamed former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden’s DEI requirements for the recent Potomac River airplane and helicopter collision that killed 67.
“I put safety first. Obama, Biden, and the Democrats put policy first.
“The FAA diversity push includes a focus on hiring people with severe intellectual and psychiatric disabilities.
“I have common sense, OK, and unfortunately a lot of people don’t. We want brilliant people to do this.”
According to The Guardian, even the firings of the Joint Chiefs chair, the Navy’s top admiral, and the most senior Judge Advocates General for the Army, Navy, and Air Force occurred because Trump has commented they were deemed DEI hires.
Yet, when critics bring up DEI, the meaning of it is hardly discussed. In 2024, Elon Musk tweeted, “DEI is just another word for racism. Shame on anyone who uses it.”
What is DEI?
According to CNN,“Diversity is embracing the differences everyone brings to the table, whether those are someone’s race, age, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability or other aspects of social identity.
“Equity is treating everyone fairly and providing equal opportunities.
“Inclusion is respecting everyone’s voice and creating a culture in which people from all backgrounds feel encouraged to express their ideas and perspectives.”
DEI at St. Ambrose
DEI offices have been on college campuses since the 1980s; St. Ambrose’s office has been a crucial part of the community for about 20 years.
According to the St. Ambrose University’s website, “DEI is essential for creating an inclusive and supportive campus climate for all students.” It does so through the St. Ambrose curriculum.
Before the Dear Colleague letter and HSB60, Saddler discussed the benefits of the Ambrose curriculum.
“The current DEI curriculum encourages exposure to course content that is either authored or produced by individuals from diverse populations or backgrounds. This allows faculty teaching these courses, as well as students taking these courses, an opportunity to broaden their knowledge base, fostering a sense of cultural understanding and equity.
“The curriculum also provides a baseline understanding of how to effectively identify and respond to discrimination…
“I hope that the St. Ambrose student is more aware of how to recognize and address injustice for persons with disabilities, first-generation students, or individuals from any other historically marginalized population.”
Saddler also expressed the university has been watching state and federal developments. “We are doing our due diligence by having the necessary conversations…
“Key individuals and departments are monitoring how those executive orders and any other governmental policy will affect this University, our students, and our employee base.”
As we move forward through the rest of the semester, and with the question of whether the DEI office will be around for much longer, Saddler finished with a quote from Bishop Ambrose of Milan.
“It is not enough just to wish well; we must also do well.”
Read Brandi Crawley’s story on how anti-DEI laws hit close to home for SAU students.
Read Part 2: SAU President & Students React to Pushback
Read Part 3: Administration Closes DEI Office, Answers Student Questions
Read Part 4: “We’re Not Going Away” – SAU Students March Towards A United Future
