Iowa’s legislature is moving on multiple fronts to reshape higher education: a House measure that would penalize private colleges with DEI offices by cutting student grant eligibility passed the lower chamber, but a Senate education subcommittee declined to advance the penalty this week, recommending indefinite postponement. Senators warned the proposal could harm students who rely on the Iowa Tuition Grant and risk violating religious freedom for faith‑based institutions. Separately, other House bills would require public regent universities to add broad ‘all‑American’ history and government courses and change presidential search committee rules, reflecting an aggressive state role in curriculum and governance. Faculty groups and university leaders criticized what they describe as micromanagement that could erode institutional autonomy and complicate accreditation. The twin tracks—one seeking curricular mandates at public universities and another seeking to punish private colleges over DEI—signal continued state activism in higher ed governance. University presidents and board chairs are preparing policy and legal responses as the bills move through the legislature.