Iowa State University: Implementation of Iowa’s Anti-Critical Race Theory Law, House File 802

After Iowa’s legislature adopted a statute barring certain “concepts” from mandatory trainings provided by public universities, Iowa State University issued guidance warning its faculty that the law limits class discussions that could be construed as “required.” On July 27, 2021, FIRE wrote to the university, explaining that the law was not intended to reach classroom discussions and would violate the First Amendment if it did. FIRE called on ISU to rescind the guidance or for Iowa’s Board of Regents to seek clarification from the state’s Attorney General. Iowa State revised the policy, but claimed that its faculty members’ academic freedom is not protected by the First Amendment.