Students Against Racism Demands

Students' Demand

University's Response

Progress Status

President Wintersteen and each of the members of her leadership team unequivocally denounces racism, anti-Semitism, and white supremacy in all forms and personally have a zero tolerance for racist, hateful, or bigoted speech and conduct.

As a part of State Government, Iowa State University is obligated to uphold the First Amendment, and therefore, cannot impose restrictions or punish individuals based upon the content of a person’s speech or because we do not agree with their ideology or beliefs. Even when we personally disagree with them with all of our hearts.

As a state institution, the University cannot punish someone because they support a certain political candidate or because they believe or promote a disfavored or unpopular political or social position.

We cannot punish individuals for having bigoted or hateful thoughts or even expressing bigoted thoughts or hate speech.  We cannot prevent you from hearing offensive speech or from seeing racist messages.

We agree that any form of racism and anti-Semitism is abhorrent. While the university cannot impose restrictions or punish individuals based on the content of their speech or beliefs, the University will be more intentional about educating all members of the campus community to adhere to the Principles of Community in their speech and conduct. A communications and marketing team is working to develop a plan.

The University does not know who was responsible for the recent chalking activity.

As a part of State Government, Iowa State University is obligated to uphold the First Amendment, and therefore, cannot impose restrictions or punish individuals based upon the content of a person’s speech or because we do not agree with their ideology or beliefs.  Even when we personally disagree with them with all of our hearts.

The student who accepted responsibility for the vandalism on Bean House floor in Geoffroy Hall was held accountable for their conduct according to normal residence hall conduct policies and procedures. The University was unable to substantiate the involvement of any other students.

The University must apply discipline consistently and cannot punish someone more harshly based on the content of their speech or their beliefs, even when those beliefs or speech are racist, hateful, or bigoted, unless the speech at issue is a “true threat” or “harassment” as defined by the law and University policy.

A “true threat,” as defined by First Amendment law, occurs where there is a direct threat against an identified individual or group of individuals where the speaker has the intent of placing the victim in the reasonable fear of bodily harm or death.

The definition of “Harassment” under Iowa State University Policy can be found here. In general, Iowa State policy and the law requires harassment be conduct that is severe or pervasive and must pose a substantial and unreasonable interference with an individual’s education or employment to be actionable.

In order for conduct to constitute harassment and fall outside the definition of protected First Amendment speech, the alleged harassment “must include something beyond the mere expression of views, words, symbols or thoughts that some person finds offensive. . . . [T]he conduct must also be considered sufficiently serious to deny or limit a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the educational program.”  Office for Civil Rights, First Amendment: Dear Colleague Letter, July 28, 2003.

The Department of Residence will work with the Inter-Residence Hall Association, Student Government, and key campus departments to explore changes to work toward eliminating acts of vandalism in the halls.

Underway* - Department of Residence hired its inaugural director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Campus Life in Nov. 2020. This position is now reviewing the DoR action plan that was previously developed as well as the current protocols and processes when incidents arise. This also includes enhanced support of Community Advisors (CAs) through increased engagement of Residence Life staff in leadership positions. Updated 4/2/2021

Students' Demand

University's Response

Progress Status

Where appropriate, students will be held responsible for misconduct pursuant to the Student Code of Conduct.

The University must apply discipline consistently and cannot punish someone more harshly based on the content of their speech or their beliefs, even when those beliefs and speech are racist, hateful, or bigoted, unless the speech at issue is a “true threat” or “harassment” as defined by the law and University policy. [Please see definitions provided in the response to Demand 3]

We agree that Neo-Nazi language is hateful, hurtful, and inconsistent with the Iowa State Principles of Community. 

Students' Demand

University's Response

Progress Status

There is no recognized student organization with the name: Students for Trump; however, the university does allow students to form organizations based on common political ideologies without regard to the candidates or policies they support, provided they follow the Student Organization Recognition policy.

The University does not know who was responsible for the recent chalking activity.

As a part of State Government, Iowa State University is obligated to uphold the First Amendment, and therefore, cannot impose restrictions or punish individuals based upon the content of a person’s speech or because we do not agree with their ideology or beliefs.  Even when we personally disagree with them with all of our hearts.

We cannot punish individuals for having bigoted or hateful thoughts or even expressing bigoted thoughts or hate speech.

We understand how hurtful and disturbing this image is. We are still examining the circumstances and context surrounding this incident in order to make an informed decision. Further updates will be provided to Student Government in the future.

The University will hold students responsible pursuant to the Student Code of Conduct where an individual’s actions violate University policy or State or Federal law.  This includes where an individual’s speech or expression crosses the line and becomes a “true threat” or “harassment” as defined by the law and University policy.

The University must apply discipline consistently and cannot punish someone more harshly based on the content of their speech or their beliefs, even when those beliefs or speech are racist, hateful, or bigoted, unless the speech at issue is a “true threat” or “harassment.” [Please see definitions provided in the response to Demand 3]

1. The Offices of Diversity and Inclusion and Equal Opportunity will work with students to create a student advisory council on issues related to harassment and discrimination.
2. This will be in addition to the current student advisory boards that exist for the ISU Police Department and Division of Student Affairs. Students are also included on the Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Council.

1. Ongoing* The Offices of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (VPDEI) and Equal Opportunity (EO) have developed the framework for the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Student Advisory Council in collaboration with Students Against Racism (SAR). VPDEI and EO held a series of productive meetings with SAR representatives throughout 2020, to ensure both groups were using common language, and working to accomplish the same goals. The DEI Student Advisory Council was ready to launch in fall 2020. Due to a low number of applications, it was agreed that the advisory board should be launched in fall 2021, once on-campus activities resume. Updated 3/25/2021
2. Ongoing^

Students' Demand

University's Response

Progress Status

As a part of State Government, Iowa State University is obligated to uphold the First Amendment, and therefore, cannot impose restrictions or punish individuals based upon the content of a person’s speech or because we do not agree with their ideology or beliefs. Even when we personally disagree with them with all of our hearts.

We cannot punish individuals for having bigoted or hateful thoughts or even expressing bigoted thoughts or hate speech.  We cannot prevent you from hearing offensive speech or from seeing racist messages.

As a part of State Government, Iowa State University is obligated to uphold the First Amendment, and therefore, cannot impose restrictions or punish individuals based upon the content of a person’s speech or because we do not agree with their ideology or beliefs. Even when we personally disagree with them with all of our hearts.

As a state institution, the University cannot punish someone because they support a certain political candidate or because they believe or promote a disfavored or unpopular political or social position.

President Wintersteen issued a statement on October 30, 2019:

“I am proud of our students for standing up against bigotry and racism and for exercising their First Amendment rights. I join with them in condemning racism, white supremacy, and xenophobia. Bigoted messages and conduct are abhorrent and inconsistent with my values and the values we expect on our campus. We all have a responsibility to make Iowa State a welcoming and inclusive community. We will continue to work with our students to make sure their voices are heard and they feel supported.”

--President Wendy Wintersteen, October 30, 2019

President Wintersteen re-emphasized and strengthened this statement in a campus-wide letter on November 8:

“My leadership team and I condemn racism, white supremacy, anti-Semitism, and xenophobia. Bigoted messages and conduct are abhorrent and inconsistent with our personal values, ISU’s Principles of Community, and the values we expect on our campus.”

Excerpted from President Wintersteen’s November 8, 2019, letter to students, faculty, and staff

We agree that all forms of white supremacy are abhorrent.

Completed*- see President Wintersteen's Oct. 30, 2019 and Nov. 8, 2019 statements

Students' Demand

University's Response

Progress Status

1. Campus leaders – president, senior vice presidents, deans, and other senior leaders – will take cultural competency and cultural humility training before the start of spring semester 2020.
2. Starting spring semester 2020, the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching will conduct annual training for faculty in each academic department on the importance of, and approaches to, creating an inclusive classroom environment.
3. Starting immediately, all search committees for faculty and staff in academic affairs, and senior administrative positions will receive diversity, equity and inclusion training.
4. All college promotion and tenure committees will receive diversity, equity and inclusion training beginning with the next cycle.
5. Beginning spring semester 2020, everyone who lives in a residence hall will be required to take annual online diversity, equity, and inclusion training.
6. As part of new student onboarding, the university is piloting a one-credit online orientation course that includes diversity, equity and inclusion topics, as well as other topics related to first-year student success.

1. Completed* - 40 campus leaders participated in cultural competency and cultural humility training on January 9, 2020. 
2. Completed in 2020 and Ongoing* Year One of Inclusive classroom training was completed in fall 2020.
   • Over 1,300 faculty participants responded to the post-workshop survey: 98% strongly agree/agree that they “recognize why teaching inclusively is important,” with 93% stating that they have “identified course-specific improvements to foster inclusive excellence in the classroom”.

Year Two will begin in fall 2021. More information is available through CELT. Updated 3/25/2021

1. Completed in FY21 and Ongoing* - In FY21, ISU ADVANCE Equity Advisors and the Assistant Provost for Faculty Development trained 56 search committees in colleges and other campus units. 
   • Resources are available in the Search Committee Training Canvas Course and on the ISU ADVANCE Search Committee Training and Resources website. Updated 3/25/2021 
2. Completed in FY21 and Ongoing* - In FY21, ISU ADVANCE Equity Advisors trained 12 college-level promotion and tenure committees.
   • Resources are available in the Promotion and Tenure Committee Training Canvas Course and on the ISU ADVANCE Promotion and Tenure Committee Training and Resources website. Updated 3/25/2021
3. Underway* - The training program is being finalized, and will be made available to students in early March.
4. Ongoing^ - The pilot training is ongoing and will be expanded to additional new students in fall 2020.
5. Ongoing* - Employee training on managing bias is available on demand through Learn@ISU.
   • 46% of faculty and staff have completed the training. Updated 3/19/2021 

1. Iowa State University Police will continue and expand its annual bias trainings for all officers and will be extending it to all Department of Public Safety staff.
2. In addition, racial intelligence training will be held for all DPS supervisors in December and all officers in the spring.

1. Ongoing^ and Scheduled 
2. Completed^ - Dec. 12, 2019: racial intelligence training held for Iowa State University Department of Public Safety (DPS) supervisors
   Completed^ - Feb. 11-12, 2020: training held for all officers.

Completed* - Meeting held Nov. 7, 2019 

Completed* - Second meeting held Feb. 18, 2020 (Jan. 28 meeting was rescheduled at the students' request)