Classes Canceled as Lawmakers Cut Boise State Budget Over Diversity Course Kerfuffle – By Scott Shackford (Reason) / May 21 2021
The university abruptly shut down dozens of classes over an unfounded claim that a white student was taunted.
Boise State University canceled 55 classes of diversity-themed ethics courses in March all because of a single complaint that a white student was “mistreated and demeaned” in class. A subsequent independent investigation found no evidence that such an incident ever happened.
At the same time this complaint was filed, though, lawmakers were proposing cutting more than $400,000 from the university’s budget. This budget cut was put forth by Republican lawmakers upset by social justice and critical race theory they believe is taught there. The timing of the anonymous complaint and the drastic action taken by the university, coupled with the lawmakers’ attack on college funding, looks a lot like culture war political combat pitting conservative politicians against progressive academics.
The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) has closely followed the case, concerned that pressure from politicians may be playing a role in what’s acceptable to teach in college and what’s forbidden.
