Iowa State University students and community members marched on campus on Oct. 24, 2024 to oppose legislation that could close campus services they rely on. (Photo by Brooklyn Draisey/Iowa Capital Dispatch)
Iowa State University students, joined by community members, marched across campus Thursday in protest of a new state law that could close resources and services they utilize.
Despite the busy walkways outside of Parks Library, people stopped to watch the crowd of students in the free speech zone make calls to oppose anti-DEI legislation and in support of campus services potentially in danger. Protesters handed out flyers with information and petitions and students shared their stories through a megaphone.
ISU junior Silvera Dudenhoefer said the goal behind the protest was to raise awareness of Senate File 2435, which restricts diversity, equity and inclusion services offered by public universities. The fact that people were listening and taking in information meant their efforts were paying off, protesters said.
“You don’t stand in the middle of a lawn and start yelling if you don’t want people to pay attention to you,” Dudenhoefer said.
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Senate File 2435 bars public universities from funding, opening or maintaining diversity, equity and inclusion offices that are not required to be in operation by the law or accreditors. While the bill doesn’t go into effect until the summer, Iowa Board of Regents President Sherry Bates said during the board’s September meeting that a board committee is working with university staff and leaders to come under compliance with the law by the end of 2024.
A counter-protestor rallied in the same area as Iowa State University students and anti-DEI legislation protestors on Oct. 24, 2024. (Photo by Brooklyn Draisey/Iowa Capital Dispatch)
A coalition of students and Ames residents has formed to oppose the legislation, trying to raise awareness of it and its potential impacts on campus. In the few weeks since they first met, students have chalked messages in support of services like the Center for LGBTQIA+ Student Success, Margaret Sloss Center for Women and Gender Equity and Multicultural Student Affairs, among others. Wednesday’s protest was the group’s first, said organizer and ISU sophomore Erin O’Brien.
One counter-protester was present during the rally, and at one point came close to the crowd and was blocked by protesters holding signs.
They group has also formed two separate petitions, one asking the board of regents to urge the Legislature to repeal or change the law or try to keep programs in place, and one calling on the state government to strike the section of the legislation dealing with DEI offices.
Bela Banegas, a junior studying data science, told the group during the protest to remember that DEI, from the concept itself to the university services and resources that may fall under it, is not about anyone’s identity — it’s about their needs. The message some try to send that services like the food pantry in the Sloss House are only for people of color or queer people is a “false testimony,” Banegas said.
As a student success coordinator in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Banegas said in an interview she often operates as a resource officer for students who don’t know where they can find help with whatever they need.
“I think we sometimes forget the scope of resources that these centers have, and really it’s about sexual health, it’s about food insecurity, it’s about health care resources and spaces for social and emotional development,” Banegas said in an interview. “It’s (about) safe spaces for all types of students.”
In talking with their peers about the bill, Dudenhoefer said the group found that many students are completely unaware of it and the impacts it could have on the university. While they may not appreciate the noise, the protest served to let them know, as well as other communities and the board of regents, what’s going on and why they oppose it.
“By standing out here and screaming, we are showing them exactly what’s on the table here,” Dudenhoefer said.
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