Republicans could push bill targeting campus diversity programs

Republicans will likely introduce a bill to address their concerns about Boise State University’s diversity programs, House Majority Leader Mike Moyle said Wednesday.

Moyle, R-Star, discussed the topic during a town hall meeting in Twin Falls, hosted by House Republican leaders. Moyle offered no details on what a bill might include, the Twin Falls Times-News reported.

The controversy over diversity and inclusion programs flared up in June, when interim Boise State president Martin Schimpf wrote a letter to the university community touting the university’s efforts. Two weeks ago, 28 House Republicans signed a letter to new Boise State President Marlene Tromp, urging her to disavow the diversity programs.

Moyle signed the letter, and on Wednesday, he restated one of its themes, saying diversity programs segregate students. And Moyle said his opposition to diversity programs does not make him a racist.

“I’ve got red cattle out there, I’ve got black cattle out there. … It doesn’t matter, they’re all cattle,” Moyle said, according to Ryan Blake of the Times-News. “It’s really easy to call somebody a racist because they don’t like the way the words were written.”

While lawmakers criticized Boise State’s programs, some of them also criticized an anonymous postcard that protested the programs and lampooned Tromp and State Board of Education members.

 

Kevin Richert

Kevin Richert

Senior reporter and blogger Kevin Richert specializes in education politics and education policy. He has more than 30 years of experience in Idaho journalism. He is a frequent guest on "Idaho Reports" on Idaho Public Television and "Idaho Matters" on Boise State Public Radio. Follow Kevin on Twitter: @KevinRichert. He can be reached at [email protected]

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