Iowa State University: Implementation of Iowa鈥檚 Anti-Critical Race Theory Law, House File 802
Cases
Iowa State University
Case Overview
closed
After Iowa鈥檚 legislature adopted a statute barring certain 鈥渃oncepts鈥 from mandatory trainings provided by public universities, Iowa State University issued guidance warning its faculty that the law limits class discussions that could be construed as 鈥渞equired.鈥 On July 27, 2021, FIREwrote to the university, explaining that the law was not intended to reach classroom discussions and would violate the First Amendment if it did. FIREcalled on ISU to rescind the guidance or for Iowa鈥檚 Board of Regents to seek clarification from the state鈥檚 Attorney General. Iowa State revised the policy, but claimed that its faculty members鈥 academic freedom is not protected by the First Amendment.