The University of Iowa is proposing to close six undergraduate programs and one graduate program due to low enrollment, workforce demand, and DEI policy changes.
The undergraduate programs at risk are Gender, Women’s and Sexuality Studies, African American Studies, Applied Physics, Classical Languages, Italian, and Russian. The post graduate program African American World Studies is also on the chooping block. Here at St. Ambrose the faculty have concerns towards removing those important programs.
The Director of Women and Gender Studies, Lisa Powell says, “I think it’s a loss for students to not have the opportunity to learn about the history of women’s activists and movements for justice around women’s rights, LGBTQ rights. These are the sort of courses where you most likely learn about those movements, social justice issues that pertain to women, women rights, and women’s health. ”
The Board of Regents is recommending closing these programs, but many think these majors are important for people to learn. Shutting down those undergraduate programs puts a risk to freedom of expression of speech.
Assistant Professor Brett Billman adds “Learning about these topics and engaging with the skills that it takes to learn about these topics are coveted by employers.”
Dr. Powell says the deicsion isn’t shocking, as it’s following the fate of many programs that focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. “It gives voices to the marginalized,” says Powell. “Courses that focus on he contributions of people of color or anything that has a DEI sound or ring to it have been put under a special scrutiny and that’s also true in the state of Iowa.”
University of Iowa alumni are uring the Board to reconsider their decision. The change won’t be made effective till late July and voting will begin in April 2026.
