University of Iowa College of Law: Faculty Evaluations Include Question About Professors’ Contributions to Diversity

In August 2020, Iowa Law’s Anti-Racism Action Committee recommended the school ask faculty about their contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion in faculty evaluations. On October 12, 2020, FIRE wrote to Iowa Law, urging the law school to not implement the committee’s recommendation, as it could serve as an ideological litmus test for faculty. From a public records request, FIRE learned that the law school already added the question to faculty evaluations, but claims it is optional. FIRE wrote Iowa Law again on October 11, 2021, explaining that it may be unclear to faculty that the DEI question is optional and that it could still serve as a litmus test. On January 21, 2022, Iowa Law responded to FIRE that faculty are not required to include a diversity statement in their evaluations.