Iowa SF 2340 prohibits DEI offices and diversity statements at public universities

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed Senate File 2340, which prohibited Iowa's public universities from maintaining DEI offices, using diversity or equity statements in hiring and admissions, or sponsoring DEI programming with state funds. Iowa State University, the University of Iowa, and the University of Northern Iowa all faced compliance deadlines and began reviewing their organizational structures. The Iowa law was notable for its explicit prohibition on diversity statements in hiring. Legal scholars noted the provision could be challenged as a viewpoint-based restriction on faculty speech in the hiring process. The AAUP issued a statement warning that the diversity statement prohibition could be used to screen out faculty whose research or teaching engaged with equity-related topics.