University of Idaho

"Diversity & Inclusion at the University of Idaho: In 2019, the State of Idaho Division of Human Resources published a Respectful Workplace Policy. Per this policy, state agencies are expected to provide employees Respectful Workplace training within 30 days of hire, and annually thereafter."

The Office of Equity and Diversity offered a three part anti-racist seminar to white students: "This 3 part series is designed for White-identified participants to deepen their understanding of and commitment to racial justice work and anti-racism practice. Together, we will explore how anchoring this work to love increases our ability to develop authentic relationships and sustain engagement over the long term."

UI's Office of Equity and Diversity offers "presentations and workshops, which explore various diversity issues, address barriers and stereotypes and celebrate differences and commonalities among all people and cultures."

IU has an "American Diversity" requirement as part of its General Education curriculum (2024-2025 Catalog) and states the "courses seek to increase awareness of contemporary and historical issues surrounding the social and cultural diversity in the U.S." The catalog defines diversity as "characteristics as ability, age, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status." Students may choose from classes such as CRIM 439: Inequalities in the Justice System, JAMM 441: Advanced Concepts in Media and Diversity, and SOC 201: Introduction to Inequity and Justice, among others.

UI published a flyer outlining how to report bias or discrimination incidents and includes answers to the question, "What if I witness or overhear something that might be harassment, discrimination or bias?"

Black Lives Matter resource page: "This resource page is designed to help University of Idaho community members understand more clearly and provide social and historical context to the events of the Summer of 2020 and beyond regarding issues of race, justice and how they specifically impact Black Americans. Community resources included are designed to assist engagement in activities that support active citizenship and build strong, respectful communities."

Patrice Cullors, co-founder of BLM, was invited to speak on campus as part of the Black Lives Matter speaker series.

The Office of Multicultural Affairs offers a Black Lives Matter speaker series.

The Idaho Freedom Foundation published a report detailing how the University of Idaho endeavors to become a "social justice university."

In its report, IFF found required implicit bias training for search committees for faculty and staff (pg12): "Implicit Bias Training. In addition to overseeing all search committees’ activities, Human Resources-Workforce Diversity division requires them to undergo training before they even begin. The subjects included in this training includes a list of “bias” effects, all of which suggest that committee members are beholden to a dominant culture that systematically discriminates against supposedly underrepresented minorities."

The IFF report shows courses required for undergraduates, and courses required for specific majors, that focus on social justice. (p18-22)

There was recent controversy over allegations of "indoctrination" at U of I. In 2021, the university's budget was cut by $500,000 due to claims of pushing social justice programs. However, as of January 2022, the university's president denied these claims and pointed to an independent study to prove his case.

The Claremont Institute Center for the American Way of Life published a February 2021 report titled "Social justice ideology in Idaho higher education," which summarizes its title as follows: "Social Justice education at UI is well-established in various organizations. There is a senior, provost-level administrator dedicated to it. For years, the assumptions of social justice ideology have spread into hiring policies, curriculum, and student life."

UI's Office of Multicultural Affairs hosts the "Black Lives Matter Speaker Series" which was created in the summer of 2020 "in response to the systemic oppression that Black and African American communities experience in the U.S." The goal of the series is "for our campus and community to listen, engage and take action to dismantle systemic racism in our society." The office published the Spring 2023 schedule for this series as well.

UI's Equity and Social Justice Workgroup has "collected a comprehensive list of resources related toward redressing racism in America." Resources include the "Diversity Dialogues" series which "discuss[es] transformative efforts in promoting equity and social justice through topics that ask higher education to think critically about the role of diversity, representation, justice, and well-being through learning."

UI's School of Journalism and Mass Media published its 2021 Diversity Plan.

On February 15, 2024, UI hosted an event titled "Racism, Tyranny and University Culture."

BLM Letter from the Dean of the College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences (CLASS): "As dean, I join President Green in affirming that black lives matter. I pledge that our college becomes a more effective instrument in building a more just and equitable society. The problems of today may seem too large to make any significant change, but we can collectively begin to address these issues by looking and acting locally. I ask you to consider the everyday actions that you might take to help bring about change."

President's letter on the death of George Floyd

For Black History Month in 2022, U of I hosted the "Black Lives Matter Speaker Series" with Ron Ferguson, along with many other events.

In spring 2022, the university organized the "Social Change Speaker Series," which included activists as speakers. One of the talks was titled, "Tearing Hatred From the Sky."

The College of Education, Health and Human Sciences is "committed to providing and nurturing an educational climate dedicated to equity and social justice" and to "improving the experiences and outcomes of those historically underserved and currently marginalized."

The Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences at the University of Idaho is committed to the "deconstruction of barriers to Black, Indigenous, Hispanic/Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islanders, People of Color, LGBTQ+ and other underrepresented groups in the Fish and Wildlife (F&W) profession." The department also states, "We must listen to the needs of those we serve and adapt our thoughts, actions and organizations to address structural racism and other inequalities."