On Sept. 8, 2024, the Heritage Foundation — a veritable bastion of conservative dogma, instrumental in crafting the Republican agenda and recently launching Project 2025 — unveiled an interactive map on its website, heritage.org
This digital cartography classifies institutions of higher learning according to their purported adherence to the sacred triumvirate of “freedom, opportunity, and upward mobility,” with a particular reverence for the sacrosanct ideals of “free expression” and “open academic inquiry.” At the same time, the map identifies those universities and colleges that ostensibly deviate from these principles as egregious transgressors against the sanctity of intellectual integrity. The color-coded taxonomy it uses operates as a modern-day panopticon of academic probity: green denotes a “great option,” yellow signifies “worthy of consideration,” while red issues an unambiguous admonition, proclaiming that the institution is “not recommended.” More specifically, a red designation implies that, “These universities exhibit a pervasive hostility toward diverse viewpoints and lack robust core curricular requirements,” as well as egregiously undermine the holistic educational experience.
The Heritage Foundation also asserts that these institutions are frequently ensnared in ideologically motivated administrative machinations and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) bureaucracies, resulting in substantial constraints on the freedom of expression. Furthermore, it ominously warns prospective students that these universities typically manifest suboptimal returns on investment “evidenced by lower graduation rates and diminished post-graduation income, making them less favorable choices for students seeking both intellectual rigor and long-term success.”
The University of Northern Iowa (UNI) received a “red” designation, situating it within the broader echelon of institutions notoriously perceived to harbor an insidious aversion to intellectual pluralism, thus prospective students should categorically eschew such a stifling intellectual environment. Of course, this characterization is utterly false. Contrary to the assertions of its critics, UNI exemplifies a commitment to fostering an intellectual ecosystem replete with a panoply of perspectives and a stimulating pedagogical atmosphere. At the same time, UNI, like many institutions, is navigating the delicate balance between maintaining inclusive spaces and encouraging rigorous, open debate. The university remains a forum for the exchange of ideas, where challenging conversations are not just tolerated, but encouraged.
Here’s the thing, though: this is hardly a novel development. The current cultural conflict merely continues a longstanding tradition of intellectual resistance – a dialectical push against the forces that seek to promote revisionist histories and demonize academics. Academia has long been a thorn in the side of reactionary and even so-called liberal regimes. Consider for instance, the tumultuous epoch of McCarthyism, an era indelibly marked by the nefarious machinations of Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin. Much like the cacophony of reactionary rhetoric that reverberates today, the academia faced an unprecedented intellectual onslaught. Educators — particularly those inclined toward leftist ideologies — were ensnared in a web of scrutiny, resulting in job terminations and the insidious practice of black-listing.
The American Association of University Professors documented a pervasive wave of dismissals, engendering a chilling atmosphere that suffocated academic discourse. This ideological polarization necessitated a profound reckoning within universities, which found themselves at a crossroads between their self-proclaimed identities as sanctuaries of free thought and the imperatives of national loyalty.
On one side, a fervent demand for patriotism threatened to eclipse the very essence of dissent, rendering alternative viewpoints untenable. Conversely, a resolute contingent within academics and students staunchly resisted these encroachments, advocating for the preservation of institutions as spaces for critical inquiry and the unfettered exploration of contentious ideas.
In the contemporary socio-political milieu, DEI is the latest boogeyman for conservatives and far-right groups pushing white nationalist ideas. Anti-DEI policies represent a modern-day witch hunt reminiscent of the anti-communist fervor that once gripped the United States. Just as anti-communism meticulously targeted perceived Trojan horses that threatened the American ethos, the contemporary repudiation of DEI initiatives frequently casts these endeavors as insidious assaults on traditional values and the sanctity of societal cohesion. By categorizing DEI as a radical imposition, critics not only evoke a historical resonance but also construct a narrative that positions advocates of inclusion as anti-Western or anti-White, and intent on recalibrating the very foundations of societal norms. This rhetoric serves to galvanize a reactionary movement, wherein the defenders of an ostensibly “authentic” American identity endeavor to fend off what they perceive as an ideological invasion.
Iowa Public Radio recently reported that Iowa’s three regent universities are expected to meet the Board of Regents’ directives to virtually dismantle DEI initiatives and offices six months ahead of schedule. This move is poised to have far-reaching implications for university policies, campus climate, and institutional priorities — if such changes haven’t already taken root.
But this isn’t enough for academia’s reactionary assailants. Now, the spotlight is glaringly fixed on classes and professors tackling contentious subjects that unsettle students — those daring enough to unearth uncomfortable truths that paint a less palatable picture of our national and global history. Against this backdrop, it’s hardly a surprise that the humanities are bearing the brunt of the attacks leveled by the contemporaries of anti-intellectualism and truth. In an epoch riven by fear and polarization, the disquietude directed at the humanities stems from a recognition of their formidable power. Far from being mere relics of antiquity, these disciplines function as intellectual gadflies, stinging the slumber of unquestioned assumptions and provoking uncomfortable yet indispensable questions.
The critical frameworks cultivated within these disciplines go beyond mere explanation; they empower individuals to engage in dialogues that transcend reductive binaries and simplistic narratives that often dominate contemporary discourse. In a cultural milieu where conformity is often exalted, the act of questioning itself emerges as an audaciously subversive endeavor.
Furthermore, the humanities foster a nuanced understanding of historical and cultural contexts, encouraging a robust engagement with diverse perspectives that challenge the status quo. In this light, the defense of the humanities transcends mere advocacy for academic disciplines; it represents a steadfast commitment to preserving the praxis of critical reflection itself, safeguarding the intellectual rigor that undergirds our collective pursuit of knowledge.
The Heritage Foundation’s classification of the University of Northern Iowa is utterly ludicrous; it’s a manifestly myopic assessment bereft of substantive merit. This superficial designation betrays a profound misunderstanding of the institution’s rich and multifaceted educational landscape where diverse perspectives collide and sparks of knowledge are ignited.
Such an egregious mischaracterization not only lacks nuance but also undermines the integrity of UNI and the exceptional contributions of its students, faculty, staff, librarians, advisors and countless other stakeholders. Their collective and individual efforts are poised to make a significant impact on the state of Iowa, fostering a vibrant academic environment that deserves recognition rather than unwarranted disparagement.
