News and information
Diversity and Inclusion COVID-19 Resources
April 23: The Office of the Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion has launched a new website with resources, webinars, professional development opportunities, and identity-based support regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
InclusAbility website
April 14: The Office of Equal Opportunity has added resources and webinars to the InclusAbility website that provide knowledge and information to increase support for, and visibility of, persons with disabilities within the Iowa State campus and community.
New diversity, equity, and inclusion training
April 6: New training for employees has been launched on Learn@ISU. This training is focused on the concept of bias - why everyone has biases, and how to identify, manage, and overcome them. Type keyword "managing bias" to find the course in the Learn@ISU catalog.
Help fight stigma associated with COVID-19
April 6: The COVID-19 virus does not target based on race, nationality or ethnicity. Individuals of Asian Descent are not more likely to get or spread the virus. COVID-19 started in Wuhan, China, but geographic origin does not correlate with vulnerability to illness. Please continue to reject stigmas associated with this pandemic. Please see these additional resources for diversity, equity, and inclusion implications and considerations associated with COVID-19: Webinar Recording, PowerPoint, and Resources/Best Practices Document.
Racist vandalism in lecture hall
March 2: A student reported being the target of a racist slur and swastika scratched on their desk in Carver Hall. A message condemning this action and emphasizing classroom expectations was posted in Canvas for all students in the class.
Incident of harassment reported in residence hall
Feb. 26: A student in Wallace Hall reported personally experiencing an act of harassment on their floor. The Department of Residence is working with the student to provide support and resources.
Student reported racist vandalism in residence hall
Feb. 24: A student reported vandalism in Wallace Hall described as a swastika scratched on a restroom stall. The Department of Residence has removed the vandalism and is reaching out to residents of the hall.
Incident of harassment reported in residence hall
Feb. 16: A student staff member in Wallace and Wilson reported personally experiencing an act of harassment on their floor. The Department of Residence and Iowa State Police are investigating and are working with the student staff member to provide support and resources.
Resolution censures College of Veterinary Medicine; demands presented
Feb. 12: Student Government unanimously passed a resolution to censure the College of Veterinary Medicine administration for failure to effectively respond to issues of racism, discrimination, and bigotry and promote a diverse and inclusive environment. CVM students also presented to college administration a list of demands to improve diversity and the climate of the college.
Update: SAR forum rescheduled
The meeting with Students Against Racism originally planned for Tuesday, January 28 has been rescheduled for Tuesday, February 18, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. in the Sun Room, Memorial Union. The meeting is open to all.
Stickers with Nazi imagery reported across campus
Feb. 3: Stickers with Nazi imagery and messaging were reported in numerous locations across campus over the weekend. These hateful, racist images are abhorrent. The university condemns all forms of racism, white supremacy, anti-Semitism and bigotry. The stickers are being removed in accordance with university policy.
First Amendment and welcoming and inclusive campus
Iowa State University will continue to champion the First Amendment in its efforts to create a campus where all individuals and ideas are welcome and included.
Professional and Scientific Council pledged support for improving campus environment
Dec. 5: P&S Council passed a motion in support of building on efforts to make campus a safe and welcoming community. The motion recommends reviewing all employees' engagement in diversity, equity and inclusion efforts as part of their annual performance evaluation.
Student reported racist vandalism etched on door
Dec. 3: A student reported vandalism in Wallace Hall that they said appeared to be a swastika etched on a restroom door. The Department of Residence has removed the vandalism and is reaching out to residents of the hall.
Student arrested for criminal mischief and harassment
A student living at Frederiksen Court was arrested late Sunday night (Nov. 24) and charged with criminal mischief and harassment following a physically threatening confrontation with a roommate, which also included statements about the roommate’s race. Iowa State University Police are investigating and will refer the case to the Story County Attorney’s Office for prosecution. The student also has been referred to the university’s student disciplinary process. The university is offering support and resources to the roommate.
Connect Four offers community, opportunity for students of color
Nov. 21 Inside Iowa State: A College of Human Sciences program for first-year students of color provides community connections and guidance on how to thrive.
Racist, anti-Semitic vandalism reported on campus
Nov. 20: ISU Police received a report last night (Nov. 19) of a swastika scratched on a den door in Buchanan Hall. ISU Police are investigating and the racist, anti-Semitic vandalism has been removed. The Department of Residence is reaching out to all residents of the impacted floor of the hall to offer support and resources.
Nov. 20: Iowa State University Police and the Campus Climate Reporting System continue to receive reports of racist stickers and posters on light poles and bus stop signs around campus. They are being removed in accordance with university policy.
Faculty Senate pledges continued work toward change
Nov. 13: The Faculty Senate unanimously passed a resolution codemning racist incidents and in support of the students impacted by them. Senators aknowledged that faculty have the power to put action behind their words of support.
ISU Police investigating racist threat of violence posted on social media
Nov. 13: President Wendy Wintersteen and ISU Police Chief Michael Newton sent a message to notify the Iowa State community about a threat of physical violence posted on a Reddit stream.
Nov. 14: Police believe the threat was racially motivated. President Wintersteen wants the university community to know that threats of physical violence are illegal and deplorable and the racism conveyed through the threat is abhorrent. ISU Police have been in contact with all three students who were targeted to provide support and resources.
Schmittmann calls on LAS College to support campuswide actions
Nov. 13: In an open letter to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Dean Beate Schmittmann expressed support for the actions Iowa State University is taking to enhance campus climate and acknowledge the shared responsibility to make ISU a better place.
University leaders announce actions to address racism and discrimination
Nov. 7: During a meeting with Students Against Racism and in a subsequent Nov. 8 message to campus, President Wintersteen and her leadership team outlined 10 actions the university will take in response to student demands following recent acts of racism.
Creating a welcoming and inclusive campus must include condemning racism and bigotry
Oct. 23: In a message to campus, President Wendy Wintersteen acknowledged that we still have much work to do to eliminate racism and bigotry and make Iowa State University the best land-grant university in the country in creating a welcoming and inclusive environment.