The State Board of Education has rewritten a controversial plan to restrict campus DEI programs.

The changes were released Monday — two days before the State Board plans to vote on the diversity, equity and inclusion policy; and after the board was swamped with roughly 700 student comments on both sides of the divide.

At its heart, the proposed restrictions remain intact. Colleges and universities would be banned from operating a support center that “serves students based on DEI ideology.” The schools would also be banned from creating “a central office, policy, procedure, or initiative that promotes DEI ideology.”

But the new proposal walks back one section that the State Board first floated in November. Colleges and universities would not be required to make sure “all student success centers are dedicated to all students … regardless of personal identity characteristics.”

The new proposal also includes language that seems designed to defuse the controversy.

“The Board recognizes and values the unique diversity of Idahoans and expects the postsecondary institutions to foster a campus culture that appreciates and reflects this diversity,” the policy now reads.

Introduced less than a month ago, and still only in the proposal phase, the DEI policy has already made a profound mark on two college campuses.

Idaho State University and Boise State University have already closed women’s centers and diversity centers, opting for holistic centers designed to cater to all students. Boise State has said its abrupt — and unannounced — Nov. 29 student center closures were driven by the State Board proposal.

The University of Idaho has made no similar changes, as officials are waiting to see whether the State Board passes its resolution.

After floating the DEI resolution, the State Board created an online window for student comment. The comment period closed Friday, the last day of fall finals week at the universities. But the timing didn’t slow the comments.

Idaho Education News received copies of the student comments Monday morning. The State Board didn’t sort out the comments as pro or con, but based on an initial EdNews review, it appeared that a majority of commenters opposed the policy.

Still, the comments reflect the polarized national debate over DEI and social justice policy.

A number of commenters said the push to close student centers was racist. “Quit catering to loud whiny white straight men and do your job,” said one student.

Several first-generation students said the success centers helped them navigate college. “I know firsthand how integral they have been in shaping my success and the success of many others,” said Natalie Suaste, a 2024 U of I graduate, who was diversity and equity officer in the U of I’s student government.

Other students said the DEI centers themselves were divisive and racist in nature. “DEI destroys everything it touches and is unlawful,” said one student. “It must be extirpated.”

Said another student, also attending the U of I, “Conservatives (such as myself) are not welcomed on campus and are currently cast to the wayside to make room for diversity projects. Please end this madness.”

In a report to State Board members, board staff said feedback from students, the public and higher ed leaders “has informed revisions” to the DEI policy.

The State Board will get the next word.

The board meets in Boise Wednesday morning, and is scheduled to vote on the DEI resolution, and companion resolutions on campus governance and freedom of expression.

Wednesday is the last State Board meeting before the 2025 legislative session opens on Jan. 6. A legislative task force has also been studying DEI, but has made no proposals.