Boise State University shut down a pair of student support centers late last month, to get out ahead of a state crackdown on diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

In an email to students, Boise State said the proposed State Board of Education restrictions factored into the shutdowns.

“We all have heard the conversations taking place this year across the nation related to diversity, equity and inclusion and higher education,” Boise State administrators wrote. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to serving all students while seeking to be responsive to our governing board’s expectations.”

The email went out Tuesday, 11 days after Boise State closed its Gender Equity Center and Student Equity Center. As Idaho Education News reported Wednesday, Boise State shut down the centers on Nov. 29, and recently opened a one-stop shop for student support: the Student Connections and Support Center.

The new center is designed to align with the State Board’s proposed guidelines, which ban campus support centers aligned with DEI principles, and call for the colleges and universities to create centers designed to serve all students.

The State Board hasn’t approved the DEI resolution. A vote is expected Wednesday. The email to students does not mention that the resolutions have not yet passed.

KTVB first reported on the email to students Wednesday.

Here, in full, is the email to students:

“We all have heard the conversations taking place this year across the nation related to diversity, equity and inclusion and higher education. The Idaho State Board of Education has developed resolutions for Idaho universities, and we have provided feedback. We remain steadfast in our commitment to serving all students while seeking to be responsive to our governing board’s expectations.
“The Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management is launching the new Student Connections and Support Center, a campus unit dedicated to student community building and support. The concept for this center was developed during months of consultation and engagement with students, faculty, and staff on our campus and colleagues across the United States. The center will focus on fostering meaningful student connections with one another, faculty and staff, and university services.
“The team will:

• Stand up a first-generation college student program next fall to assist students in gaining valuable skills that will enhance their academic, career and personal growth.
• Offer crucial support services, including a campus clothing closet and confidential, no-cost case management, crisis intervention services, assistance in reporting acts of violence, and resources for navigating campus life.
• Offer welcoming places where students can gather and build engagement, belonging, and meaningful connections with other students and define what it means to be a Bronco. 

“We closed the Gender Equity and Student Equity centers on November 29, 2024. We want to acknowledge that the staff members who have worked in these centers over the last few decades have impacted the lives of thousands of students — helping them to achieve graduation and their academic and personal goals — and provided key development opportunities to our staff, faculty, and extended community. To document the impact of the centers, we are organizing a celebration in the spring where guests will be invited to share stories and make contributions to the library archives.
“Please help us get the word out about this new center. We invite you to stop by the office on the second floor of the Student Union Building, room E2406, to learn more about available programs and services.
“Sincerely,
Jeremiah Shinn, Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management
Adriane Bang, Associate Dean of Students
Chris Wuthrich, AVP for Student Affairs and Dean of Students.”