By Megan Guido | FāVS News
The Palouse faith community, human rights and social justice groups are responding to the resolution issued late last year by the Idaho State Board of Education on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
As per the resolutions and impending legislation in the state of Idaho, University of Idaho President Scott Green distributed a university-wide communication on Dec. 18 dismantling the Equity and Diversity Unit (EDU), including the University of Idaho Women’s Center, along with several other EDU offices like the Black/African American Cultural Center, Office of Multicultural Affairs and the LGBTQA Office.
The Women’s Center, a cornerstone of support services at the University of Idaho for more than 50 years, held a ceremony to officially close the office earlier this month.
“I think it’s a travesty and short sighted,” said the Rev. Elizabeth Stevens with the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Palouse in Moscow.
“This doesn’t help anybody. It just hurts people who counted on these programs for support. I really hope that it doesn’t lead to students who do hold historically undervalued identities from coming to school at UI (University of Idaho),” she said.
Joann Moneta with the Latah County Human Rights Task Force agrees.
She wrote in a recent Letter to the Editor in the Moscow Pullman Daily News, “It is extremely discouraging that the majority of the members of the Idaho Board of Education and the Idaho Legislature’s “DEI working group” oppose DEI programs and policies. They do this without bothering to understand DEI’s mission or contributions. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has benefited UI for over 50 years by increasing enrollment and retention and helping to create a more welcoming environment for all students.”
Eight miles across the border in Pullman, Washington, residents are watching what’s happening in Idaho. Although Washington State University is not seeing such initiatives coming from the Washington State Higher Education Board of Regents, there is concern that with the new Trump administration, the “other shoe will fall,” said Tim Paulitz.
Paulitz is a Pullman resident and member of the Sacred Heart Church social justice ministry.
“We’re just thankful that we’re not in a state like Idaho,” he said. “However, there are going to be challenges.”
Banning DEI efforts in higher education, said Paulitz, “impacts all of the missions of social justice groups.”
He said that these groups, like EDJE (Empowering Diversity, Justice and Equity) in Pullman, are ready to provide resources and support to students.
“Providing support transcends politics and brings the Gospel message into what we are called to do by our faith,” he said.
Stevens said the faith community in Moscow is planning to help the University of Idaho student groups like the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Association and the Black Student Union that already exist or those that are forming to meet the needs of students by letting others know they need financial support.
In addition to the faith community, grass roots activist groups like Bans off Moscow are responding to the elimination of DEI offices at the University of Idaho and reinforcing that there is support for marginalized populations.
People’s March in Response to University of Idaho DEI Elimination
The group is hosting a People’s March & Rally on Saturday starting at 2 p.m. at Moscow’s City Hall, followed by a rally at East City Park. Everyone is welcome to attend and bring signs of support to hold during the march.
“The March is a push to say that human rights are going to be under siege from the Idaho legislature and federal government,” said Rev. Stevens. “If the government is not going to value historically undervalued individuals, then we have to step up our game.”
She continued, “Stepping up looks like working harder to be in relationship with these students and marginalized communities and making sure they know we are a resource.”
Join us in sustaining this essential work or religion reporting—donate today.
Thanks for reporting on this, Megan. It’s easy to get discouraged. The head of the LGBTQA center at the University of Idaho was a member of my congregation….she and her wife had their children baptized at our church…..now they have left, finding jobs in a more welcoming environment. I fear a great exodus of others seeking inclusion and support.
That’s so sad Walter. I hope they find somewhere welcoming to go. Sounds like a big loss for the community.