Lawmakers finalize bill to create University of Iowa center of intellectual freedom
A bill to direct the University of Iowa to establish a center of intellectual freedom passed out of the Senate after debate Tuesday. (Stock photo by)
Legislation directing the University of Iowa to form a new center focused on American history, civil government and intellectual diversity is headed to Gov. Kim Reynolds' desk after Senate passage.
House File 437 would require the UI to establish a 'center for intellectual freedom,' which would open with one offered course on American history and civil government and develop campus programming about free speech and civil discourse.
The center would work with similar civics initiatives at Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa to create academic programs, including undergraduate and graduate degrees, that would be accessible online or in person by students at all of the universities.
A nine-person advisory council created by the Iowa Board of Regents, of which no more than one member can be employed by the UI, would oversee the center. The council would conduct the search for a center director for approval by the board of regents. Whoever is appointed director would have 'sole and exclusive authority' over hiring and firing practices for the center.
'This bill, as amended, comes as a result of a compromise with the board of regents,' floor manager Sen. Kerry Gruenhagen said. 'This bill creates a huge step forward in strengthening civic education at Iowa's three regent universities and in promoting greater intellectual diversity at the University of Iowa.'
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Senate Democrats who spoke against the bill said it was duplicative of both Iowa code and what the UI already offers to students. Sen. Herman Quirmbach of Ames said the state already houses 18 centers of intellectual freedom — the community colleges and universities that make up the Iowa public higher education system.
Quirmbach gave examples in Iowa law of academic freedom and free speech protections for students and universities. Sen. Matt Blake, D-Urbandale, also argued the proposal was redundant, listing current UI classes covering American history and politics.
Quirmbach also pointed out that giving exclusive hiring and firing power to the director could lead to certain viewpoints being outweighed by others that the director may have a preference for.
Sen. Janice Weiner, D-Iowa City, questioned the legality of naming the University of Iowa in the bill when references to certain cities and counties in other legislation have been restricted. She also brought up costs, referencing a fiscal note putting the cost of establishing a school of intellectual freedom at $1.5 million, and said there is no guarantee that the center will garner interest from students.
'The majority party is legislating less bang for the public buck,' Weiner said.
The bill passed with a 32-15 vote.
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