Iowa State University now requires job applicants to sign a “diversity and inclusion” pledge as part of the college’s new initiatives into social justice, as of this month.
Newly added language calls the university “global and culturally diverse” that’s “committed to providing an inclusive, equitable, and diverse environment for both learning and employment,” adding that the school expects employees to “demonstrate their contribution to diversity and inclusion” once hired, The College Fix reported Monday.
The principles listed on the public university’s website include calls for the “diversity of ideas” as well as “honest and respectful expression of ideas.” It reads:
We affirm the right to and the importance of a free exchange of ideas at Iowa State University within the bounds of courtesy, sensitivity and respect. We work together to promote awareness of various ideas through education and constructive strategies to consider and engage in honest disagreements.
However, the language does not clarify what the exchange of ideas looks like in the context of “courtesy, sensitivity, and respect.”
Speaking to the Iowa State Daily on August 30, VP of Diversity and Inclusion Reginald Stewart talked about the addition of the new statement built into the job application. “We knew it would be time for us to articulate message of diversity and inclusion for every new employee,” he said. The principles were initially endorsed and approved by the university president in January 2017.
As previously reported by The Daily Caller, ISU was previously in the news for promoting its microaggression training with its local Iowa community. The university was also sanctioned by the court in February and June for not respecting students’ First Amendment rights.
A spokesperson for ISU told The College Fix that “the purpose of the language is to ensure applicants have an understanding of the university’s ongoing commitment to diversity in experience and perspective. Applicants may choose to share what they believe to be applicable.”
Ian Miles Cheong is a journalist and outspoken media critic. You can reach him through social media at @stillgray on Twitter and on Facebook.