Provost says UI will continue to serve students despite changes

MOSCOW — The University of Idaho chancellor said Tuesday that the UI will continue to meet the needs of its students even as the Idaho State Board of Education implements new restrictions on diversity, equity and inclusion.

Provost Torrey Lawrence provided an update on proposed state DEI resolutions during a UI Faculty Senate meeting.

These resolutions were introduced during the November 21 SBOE meeting and are currently under consideration. Lawrence cautioned that the resolutions are still changing, but they essentially prohibit university offices, policies, procedures and initiatives from engaging in DEI activities.

It’s unclear how this might impact the University of Idaho, as the school has an office of equity and diversity. This office oversees a number of organizations that promote diversity, including an Office of Multicultural Affairs, an LGBTQA Office, a Women’s Center, the Black/African American Cultural Center, and the College Assistance Migrant Program.

Lawrence said the UI remains focused on meeting the needs of its students and employees as the university works through these resolutions from the state.

“Maybe we’ll serve and support them in a way that looks different than what we’ve done in the past, maybe from a different office, maybe from different units, but we’re still trying to meet the needs of students and “To do justice to employees too,” he said.

When asked if there will continue to be opportunities for students to receive services currently offered by programs like the Women’s Center, Lawrence replied “absolutely yes.”

“That’s our main focus in everything we do going forward and trying to meet their needs,” he said.