for my grad school pals.

some of you probably want to check this out (its the “Academic Freedom Bill Of Rights” legislation).

Unbelievable legislation attempting to be passed in Florida and California (it's pending in Ohio too) It's a law that requires Professors to teach, “serious academic theories” and allows, “students who think their beliefs are not being respected legal standing to sue professors and universities.”

RE: the Florida bill: While promoting the bill Tuesday, Baxley said a university education should be more than “one biased view by the professor, who as a dictator controls the classroom,” as part of “a misuse of their platform to indoctrinate the next generation with their own views.”

RE: the CA bill: The issue of ideology on college campuses has been sweeping American colleges for the past year, promoted by Los Angeles-based conservative activist David Horowitz. Horowitz's proposals include expanding “intellectual diversity” by mandating that colleges increase hiring of conservative professors.

yikes.

Comments

[beth]

So how does this affect private universities? Oh wait, I live in Utah, that bill will never make it here. What am I thinking?

Oh and boy do we have stories to tell about all of our fellow professor friends who were encouraged (escorted out) to leave the university.

[Vanessa_AR]

Yikes is right. Cultural diversity and conservatism do not mix. And what those assholes pushing the bills WANT is not diversity. They want any hint of anything other than their conservative ideas to be sent packing. And, as a grad student, I resent the idea that the prof is being called a dictator. I don't think my fingers have the energy to dispute that one here! Plus, I agree with you and that's why I wrote. To show support. Thanks.

[shupac]

I teach at the U of Toledo in Ohio. A bill is pending in the OH statehouse which would prevent instructors from "frequently raising controversial topics." So does that mean once a week, once a month, 10 minute at the beginning of class? Goodbye critical thinking...