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HomeU.S.University of Iowa to discontinue Gender, Women's, and Sexuality Studies department

University of Iowa to discontinue Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies department

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The University of Iowa announced its plans to close the Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies department as part of changes being made in response to the DEI landscape in the state. 

According to a press release on Dec. 17, the college will close the departments of American Studies and Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies, along with the majors in American Studies and Social Justice, and introduce a new major in Social and Cultural Analysis. This decision follows the approval of 10 recommendations by Iowa’s state Board of Regents to scale back DEI initiatives. 

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The University of Iowa announced that it would close its Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies department as public universities in the state continue to respond to a changing DEI landscape.  (Getty Images)

“We are excited to reposition these programs for the future,” said Sara Sanders, dean of the University of Iowa’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS). “The creation of a School of Social and Cultural Analysis would allow us to build on our considerable legacy in areas that are essential to our mission, while creating more sustainable structures and room for innovative new curricula.” 

“Right now, these programs are administered by multiple department chairs and multiple directors,” noted Roland Racevskis, CLAS associate dean for the arts and humanities. “Under this proposed plan, the school would have a single leadership team dedicated to overseeing the operations of the programs.” 

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University of Iowa

The announcement revealed that the proposal would go into effect on July 1, 2025, if it is successfully approved at the February Board of Regents meeting. (Getty Images)

“Students in this major would be able to connect their individual experiences and ideas to larger social contexts,” noted Cornelia Lang, CLAS associate dean for undergraduate education. “This would prepare them well for potential careers or graduate studies in cultural studies and related fields through adaptable skills like analytical thinking, effective communication, and research.”

The University of Iowa is not the only academic institution making changes to DEI programs in recent months. The University of Michigan eliminated its requirement for DEI statements on faculty matters, and the University of Austin replaced DEI initiatives with merit-based programs. Some states, such as Florida, have restricted or prohibited funding for DEI in state institutions. The University of Iowa has not responded to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. 

Fox News’ Taylor Penley contributed to this report. 

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