An undercover investigation has revealed that the University of Iowa continues to operate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs despite a state law banning them. Senior administrator Cassandra Gordon-Fletcher admitted on hidden camera that the school is intentionally rebranding DEI initiatives to keep them in place. Governor Kim Reynolds has referred the matter to the state attorney general for possible legal action.
Cassandra Gordon-Fletcher, Senior Director in the Office of Access and Support, told investigators that DEI “is not going away” and that staff are “reimagining how we’re doing it.” She detailed how bias trainings, ally workshops, and other DEI-style programming have been embedded under new titles and departments. This includes merging the Inclusive Education Strategic Initiative into the Office of Access and Support and continuing the BUILD (Building University of Iowa Leadership Development) program.
Iowa’s anti-DEI law, signed by Governor Reynolds on May 9, 2024, prohibits state universities from running programs or training sessions that promote preferential treatment based on race or gender. The law was intended to dismantle campus DEI offices and redirect funds toward academics. Gordon-Fletcher’s recorded statements suggest the university has instead adopted a covert strategy to maintain those initiatives under different branding.
In the undercover footage, Gordon-Fletcher explained that “bias” and “ally” trainings remain available but are framed in ways to avoid triggering legal scrutiny. She emphasized that the programs still pursue the same goals, only under a less visible structure. Such tactics highlight the challenge of enforcing legislative bans when institutions are ideologically committed to the programs in question.
Governor Reynolds called the revelations “appalling” and pledged to ensure the law is enforced. She directed Attorney General Brenna Bird to investigate potential violations by the university. The findings could lead to sanctions, funding cuts, or other penalties if officials determine the university has violated state law.
The incident underscores the broader national conflict over DEI policies. While Republican-led states are moving to curtail such programs, many universities are seeking ways to preserve them under alternate labels, creating an ongoing standoff between state legislatures and higher education administrators.
