Introduction

_{Updated: May 18, 2023}

The University of Iowa strives to create and sustain an equitable and inclusive campus environment for all faculty, staff, and students. The ways in which we communicate with and speak to each other, within the state of Iowa and beyond, sets the standard for the inclusiveness we aspire to. 

Faculty and staff from across the UI campus have created this Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Style Guide—modeled after the California State University Diversity Style Guide—that attempts to answer common questions and provide thoughtful guidance on topics that may arise when creating or editing content. It will be added as an addendum to the “Bias in Language” section of the UI’s Editorial Style Guide. 

This guide was created with the understanding that many of the topics and sections will evolve, as will the guide. Those using this guide are encouraged to ask questions, offer suggestions, and note omissions. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to now@uiowa.edu. To learn how this guide was created, see the Appendix of this document. 

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Style Guide offers guidance on: 

• Women, men, nonbinary genders, and people who don’t identify as a specific gender 
• People of various races and ethnicities, including Black, Hispanic/Latinx/o/a, Asian and Asian American, Pacific Islander, Native American, and Arab/MENA/SWANA 
• Immigration and immigration status 
• People with disabilities, including mental disorders 
• People who are low-income and/or underserved 
• Individuals who are LGBTQ+ and transgender 
• Veterans