University of Iowa announces plans to close Gender, Women's, and Sexuality Studies department

The decision comes after Iowa's state Board of regents approved 10 recommendations to scale back diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the Hawkeye State. 

"Right now, these programs are administered by multiple department chairs and multiple directors," CLAS associate dean for the arts and humanities, Roland Racevskis, said. "Under this proposed plan, the school would have a single leadership team dedicated to overseeing the operations of the programs." 

"Students in this major would be able to connect their individual experiences and ideas to larger social contexts," CLAS associate dean for undergraduate education, Cornelia Lang, said. "This would prepare them well for potential careers or graduate work in cultural studies and related fields through highly adaptable skills like analytical thinking, effective communication, and research."

The University of Iowa is not the only academic institution that is changing its stance on DEI programs in recent months. 

The University of Iowa did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. 

Fox News' Taylor Penley contributed to this report.