The University of Iowa is planning to spend nearly $2.8 million on diversity programming – with most of that money going to pay for "diversity staffers."

According to The College Fix, $1.95 million – nearly 70 percent of that funding – will go to salaries and benefits for 32 employees who work in the school's Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Within DDEI are three subgroups: the Center for Diversity & Enrichment (which itself comprises four subgroups), Diversity Resources, and Equal Opportunity and Diversity. (See organizational chart below)

Derryck Green of the Project 21 Black Leadership Network believes this expense is going for window dressing. "They're funding departments and positions in these departments that have nothing to do with deepening the quality of education," he contends.

Green

In a related story, the College Fix reported last November a study revealing high-priced chief diversity officers are probably a waste of money. Green agrees, stating that "social justice is big business."

"Again, this is simply another way to virtue signal to say We are on the side of the angels. Look at us. and to get applause from the like-minded," he tells OneNewsNow. "But it doesn't do anything to enhance the quality of education."

Additionally, an American Enterprise Institute study says that the expanding number of diversity programs could be adding to the high cost of college tuition.