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Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Professor: School of intellectual freedom could ‘make universities great again'
The Iowa House Higher Education Committee moved forward several bills Wednesday after hearing from a University of Iowa presenter on the proposed school of intellectual freedom. (Photo courtesy of the University of Iowa) A University of Iowa professor told Iowa lawmakers Wednesday a new 'school of intellectual freedom' could 'make universities great again.' Iowa lawmakers are working to pass legislation that would require the University of Iowa create a 'school of intellectual freedom,' according to House Study Bill 52. There is a companion bill in the Iowa Senate, Senate File 127. Luciano I. de Castro, a research fellow and professor in the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business, presented to the Iowa House Higher Education Committee Wednesday about how the new school could help bring about more diversity of thought, and how it needs to be protected from left-leaning members of the college community. 'We have an opportunity here to create a leading school, a truly remarkable opportunity that we have in front of us,' de Castro said. 'It will be good for Iowa, but it can have an impact even beyond the borders of our state, we can pioneer a new educational model rooted in American values.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Higher education is difficult to change from both the inside and outside, de Castro said, for multiple reasons. Faculty, whom de Castro said are majority left-leaning, and donors, taxpayers and other overseers of public higher education have an influence on what kind of education students are getting, causing them to come out of college with certain perspectives. Citing data from a 2020 study by 'Langbert and Stevens,' de Castro said at the University of Iowa and Iowa State University, there is an 11-to-1 ratio of Democrat to Republican faculty, with an even larger divide for donations to a party. Level of education has become a predictor in how people will vote, he added, with college-educated people voting more blue and those who didn't attend college voting more red. De Castro said left-leaning faculty 'hire like-minded colleagues who are competent in two things, one is producing interesting, and by interesting, you can understand the pursuit of ideas, and this is called research, and convert believers (with) teaching (that) all align with the cause they cherish.' He said he is exaggerating some with this statement. Faculty have little incentive to change this, he said, as going with the status quo can make it easier in academia to get their ideas heard. He added that no courses on capitalism are taught at the UI, a statement that some lawmakers disputed. These professors will also complain about academic integrity and freedom if outside interference is pushing on them, he said. De Castro said it is on legislators to 'fight the resistance' they will find to this legislation and get the center established, as well as ensure through a proposed academic council that the university itself cannot exert power over it. The school needs to teach on the institutions and values of the U.S., and the positives behind the system of capitalism it was built on, he said. As an immigrant, de Castro said, he and other conservatives who support this and other legislation are motivated by a love of their country, not by hate or political gains. 'As I said, I was not born here, but I learned to love this country because of the values that it was created in,' de Castro said. 'It's just a great country, it's the greatest country on Earth, and we have to love it.' Rep. Ross Wilburn, D-Ames, said during discussion after the presentation that just because faculty has been shown to identify as more Democratic, that doesn't mean they cannot teach critically and fairly. 'The fact that the University of Iowa produced myself and Representative Shipley shows that a lot of different thinking and thoughts can respectfully occur,' Wilburn said. 'My issue and problem is … if folks are interested in establishing a class or a new school, there's a process with the institution, with the universities. I just disagree with this entire bill and most of the committee.' Rep. David Jacoby, D-Coralville, said in discussion about the proposed legislation he was unsure before the presentation on how he would vote on this bill, but after hearing from de Castro, he decided he was a 'heck no.' With issues remaining about the lack of a definition of 'intellectual' and his seeing it as a 'nationalist bill,' Jacoby said he also has concerns about donations to the center not being made public and the fact that a new council would be formed to govern it, when those in the state and federal government have been working to lessen bureaucracy. 'This bill is not funded, and this bill is not what Iowa is about,' Jacoby said. Jacoby brought forward an amendment to the bill when it was discussed in committee, which would add in language stating the Iowa Board of Regents could not oversee state universities unless it, and the state, fund more than 51% of operating costs for the higher education system. He said the Legislature seems to be taking a 'rather stringent,' complete oversight of universities while only funding around one-third of their budgets. The amendment failed in committee. Rep. John Wills, R-Spirit Lake, said the presentation made many good points. In both his experience teaching on group dynamics and in the military, Wills said diverse viewpoints are needed in order to better solve problems and ensure a community doesn't 'become homogenized' and begin leaning one way or another. 'I submit to you that what we're having happen is a non-diverse group at the University of Iowa diverging off into a path that, really, do we want as a state of Iowa to be happening,' Wills said. Democrats on the committee praised Wills for his recognition that diversity is needed on campus, with Rep. Jennifer Konfrst, D-Windsor Heights, saying that is the purpose of DEI efforts at universities. However, she said the way to address bias is not to introduce additional bias. Committee chair Rep. Taylor Collins, R-Mediapolis, said in closing comments on the bill he appreciated the healthy, lively discussion between committee members, and he wishes he saw more of that at Iowa's universities. He also told Jacoby that most donations to the center will be made public. 'The future of our country is dependent on ensuring that the citizens of this country are taught to cherish and celebrate our Western and American heritage, and I want to thank the University of Northern Iowa and Iowa State, (they) have made great progress on this initiative, it's been very positive,' Collins said. 'With the passage of this bill, I believe we'll be expanding civic education at all of our regent institutions, including our first regent university, that is, the University of Iowa.' The House Higher Education Committee also advanced several bills on Wednesday: House Study Bill 50 would require state universities to conduct a review of all academic programs and submit a report to the General Assembly recommending whether each one should be changed, eliminated or remain the same based on their alignment with state workforce needs. The legislation will move to the House floor with near-unanimous support, as only Jacoby cast a 'nay' vote. Konfrst said she was thankful to hear during a subcommittee meeting on the bill that the Iowa Board of Regents has already started work on the review. 'I think that the purpose of this committee should be to investigate and look into how our higher education institutions are working,' Konfrst said. 'So I support the legislation.' House Study Bill 56 would require students attending public universities and community colleges to complete an American history and civil government course in order to earn a bachelor's degree. Included in the proposed course is 'the study of and devotion to American institutions and ideals,' the history and principles of U.S. government, founding documents and important court cases throughout American history. The course can expand upon these topics and teach things not included in the bill, it stated. Rep. Monica Kurth, D-Davenport, voiced her opposition to the bill during the committee meeting, questioning whether there is proof of its necessity and saying the quality of higher education curriculum would be stifled by requirements driven by political ideology. 'This bill is an overreach of legislative power, and there is no logical justification for being this specific in the course material,' Kurth said. Language in the bill pertaining to course requirements was taken from model legislation crafted by the Civics Alliance and National Association of Scholars, both of which Kurth said are 'undeniably conservative groups.' She also took issue with language in the bill that included the word 'devotion.' 'I would like to state that devotion is earned, not taught,' Kurth said. Rep. Steven Holt, R-Denison, said devotion to the U.S. has been earned during the Battle of the Bulge, at Okinawa, at Iwo Jima, at Peleliu and more. Rep. Skyler Wheeler, R-Hull, said Republicans are not pushing an ideology with this legislation, but instead stating that the contents in the bill are facts that everyone should know and would gain value in learning about. 'I don't know how there's a political ideology being pushed when we're teaching kids to read letters from Birmingham jail or the Gettysburg address or the Emancipation Proclamation or the Federalist Papers,' Wheeler said. 'If that's a political ideology, your guys' political party has to do a lot of reflecting.' The bill passed out of committee 7-4. Collins said during the committee meeting that House Study Bill 51, or the 'College Affordability Act,' could be one of the most important pieces of legislation the committee considers this session. It would cap tuition and fee increases for in-state students at public universities at 3%, as well as freeze tuition for those students in their first year, ensuring they won't see yearly increases in their college costs. The board of regents would need to have its tuition and fee rates set by Dec. 31 of the year before the new academic year, according to the bill, and each university would be required to offer at least one three-year bachelor's degree program and at least one 'work plus' program where a student can work part-time while attending college, paid for by a qualified employer. Jacoby introduced two amendments to the legislation, both of which failed to pass in the committee. The first, which he said was prompted by comments Collins has made about the board of regents not completing its duties, would put in language stating the board is elected by the people, rather than appointed by the governor. The second would require that the student member of the board of regents, a position that has been vacant since last June, be present for votes approving tuition and fee rates. Collins said during closing comments the Legislature allocates 'nearly $600 million every year' to state universities and the board of regents, and it's important lawmakers find areas to lower costs while getting young people into the workforce to fill gaps. The bill passed, moving to the House floor with a 9-2 vote. 'I think it's important that we provide surety to our students and create some innovative ways where we can not only reduce costs, but also get those students more quickly into the workforce,' Collins said. House Study Bill 63 would establish new general education requirements at state universities, stating that students must take classes in English and composition, math and statistics, natural and social sciences, a world language, the humanities, Western heritage and American heritage. These courses cannot 'distort significant historical events or include any curriculum or other material that teaches identity politics or is based on theories that systemic racism, sexism, oppression, or privilege are inherent in the institutions of the United States of America or the state of Iowa,' according to the legislation. As amended, Holt said the bill would allow for courses from the Legislature's proposed school of intellectual freedom for the UI to qualify as general education courses in the western and American histories. Rep. Ross Wilburn, D-Ames, said during discussion this bill is coming forward too hastily, as a review of courses at the universities has not been completed yet, and the experts should be allowed to decide what general education standards are needed for the vastly different programs offered at state universities. Holt said the board of regents signaled its support for the bill if it moves forward as amended. 'My understanding is that core curriculum is all over the board for different majors,' Holt said. 'Students frequently change majors, and it would be very helpful for students to have some consistency, that would probably save them some money.' The bill will move to the House floor with a 7-4 vote. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill to establish UI school of ‘intellectual freedom' moves to committee
The Old Capitol building on the University of Iowa campus in Iowa City. (Photo courtesy of University of Iowa) Former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad spoke Tuesday at a subcommittee meeting in support of legislation that would launch a 'school of intellectual freedom' at the University of Iowa, countering critics who cited wastefulness and ideological drive. House Study Bill 52 would place the school in the UI College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and have it staffed by five faculty members. Instruction would consist of 'the historical ideas, traditions and texts that have shaped the American constitutional order and society,' according to the legislation, and the school would offer programming on free speech and civil discourse while fostering intellectual diversity and civic engagement. Rep. Taylor Collins, R-Mediapolis, chaired the subcommittee alongside Rep. Dave Jacoby, D-Coralville, and Rep. Heather Hora, R-Washington. Branstad, a UI alum, joined the subcommittee meeting to speak in support of the bill. He said a school like the one proposed in the legislation is 'truly needed.' 'The reason for the bill is the future of our country is dependent on citizens that are well informed and cherish and celebrate the American heritage, and that's something that I think is really important for our country, especially in this day and age when we see a lot of concern and a lot of lack of … respect for other viewpoints,' Branstad said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Iowa Board of Regents and UI representative Keith Saunders said in the meeting the university is already working to establish a center for civic dialogue and leadership, and has submitted plans to the board of regents to be discussed at its February meeting. It will be similar to the center already approved at the University of Northern Iowa and one in development at Iowa State University, as they were brought forward at the direction of the board of regents. Andy Conlin, speaking in the meeting for the Cicero Institute and the Foundation for Government Accountability, said he was happy to hear the UI would be moving in the direction of its sister universities and codifying this bill's legislation would ensure the new center would remain in perpetuity. Florida, Ohio, Texas and Tennessee have also passed bills like this one for its universities, he said, with positive results. UI alum Emma Denney called the bill 'pointless' during public comment, saying she doesn't get how someone could look at the UI's academic programming in its departments of history and American studies and think the university isn't teaching what this school would be required to offer. Denney and another speaker said they believe the legislation is an ideological project motivated by the Legislature's disagreement with diversity, equity and inclusion on campus. 'I find this a laughable and ridiculous waste of money, time and resources, and I, frankly, find it ideologically motivated and pathetic,' Denney said. Branstad responded to Denney's comments by saying her view is 'your way or the highway,' adding his belief that most of the political science teachers at the UI where he studied were socialists but that 'all viewpoints should be represented.' Jacoby started out his comments on the legislation by asking who was chair of the committee, Collins or Branstad, and said he was just practicing his civil discourse by seeking clarification. He questioned the use of the term 'intellectual freedom,' which he interpreted to mean that hate speech is free speech, and said this legislation feels more like one meant for the national stage and not for Iowa. Drawing from the Manhattan Institute presentation given to the higher education committee previously, Jacoby said the survey policy analyst Neetu Arnold conducted to learn about the issues plaguing Iowa higher education included only 50 people, or less than 1% of the state population. Jacoby said it concerns him to think the Legislature would craft bills based off the wants of such a small group. He also took umbrage with the fact that the legislation only names the UI, rather than all of the state universities, and said he has drafted amendments to add them as well as private universities who take students in the Iowa Tuition Grant program to the bill. 'I like intellectual freedom. I like freedom if it's intellectual. The definition of intellectual, which is helpful at times … is the use of intellect, developed by facts and cause, not emotion,' Jacoby said. 'This seems to be a little bit of an emotional bill in my … civil discourse opinion.' The bill passed out of subcommittee with support from Collins and Hora, who was in caucus at the time. It will head to the Iowa House Higher Education Committee for further consideration. 'I think this was a good exercise in civic dialogue,' Collins said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
House Higher Education Committee to consider bills on academic offerings, DEI changes
Higher education bills slated for subcommittee meetings touch on reviewing and changing public university courses and course requirements. (Photo by Brooklyn Draisey/Iowa Capital Dispatch) The Iowa House of Representatives' new higher education committee is considering various bills aimed at diversity, equity and inclusion at public, private and community colleges, as well as legislation to review and change academic programs and requirements. Legislation would review academic offerings, make changes in courses or propose new ones, as well as further limit diversity, equity and inclusion programming in higher education. Many introduced bills have subcommittee meetings scheduled for this and next week. House Study Bill 50 would require the Iowa Board of Regents review every undergraduate and graduate academic program at each of the three state universities to 'determine whether and to what extent each academic program aligns with current and future workforce needs in Iowa,' according to the legislation. The review, done with the aid of the Iowa Department of Education and Iowa Workforce Development, must be completed by the board's November meeting this year. The board must make recommendations in the report for whether or how each reviewed program should be changed or if it should be eliminated. The legislation stated the report and its recommendations would need to go to Gov. Kim Reynolds and the General Assembly by Nov. 30. A subcommittee meeting for the bill is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Jan. 29. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX House Study Bill 52 would create and set staffing and programming standards for a 'school of intellectual freedom' at the University of Iowa. The legislation would place this new school in the UI College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and require at least five faculty members be hired to teach within it. Teaching and research through the school would focus on 'the historical ideas, traditions and texts that have shaped the American constitutional order and society,' according to the legislation. The school would also develop campus-wide programming on free speech and civil discourse, foster intellectual diversity and encourage civic engagement. An academic council formed by the Iowa Board of Regents would assist in selecting a dean, who would be required to submit an annual report on the school to the governor and the Legislature. A subcommittee meeting on the bill will take place at 2:30 p.m. Jan. 28. Labeled the 'Core Curriculum Act,' House Study Bill 63 would require the board of regents to develop a policy for general education requirements and provide the board with the contents of that policy. It would also stop universities from implementing any general education requirements not listed in the bill. In addition to the requirements of English and composition, math and statistics, natural and social sciences, the policy would also include courses in a world language, the humanities, Western heritage and American heritage. Exceptions to these course requirements would include those enrolled in a program lasting three years or less and students determined by the board to be in a 'complex field' or in need of additional focus on their main courses. According to the bill, these general education courses cannot 'distort significant historical events or include any curriculum or other material that teaches identity politics or is based on theories that systemic racism, sexism, oppression, or privilege are inherent in the institutions of the United States of America or the state of Iowa.' The legislation states teachers' academic freedoms will not be limited by these policies. A subcommittee meeting has been scheduled for the bill at 8 a.m. Jan. 28. A separate new course would be created and required for graduation through House Study Bill 56. Students earning their bachelor's degree at a state university would need to take a course in American history and civil government, according to the bill, which would include instruction on the United States Constitution and other founding documents, the development and principles of the U.S. government, how the U.S. government compares to others and 'the study of and devotion to American institutions and ideals.' A subcommittee will discuss the bill at 4 p.m. on Jan. 28. House Study Bill 60 would bar private universities from starting or maintaining DEI offices, with the risk of becoming ineligible for the Iowa Tuition Grant program if they do not comply. Like the legislation that prohibits state universities from keeping their own DEI offices, exemptions to the new bill include departments and programs required for accreditation or to comply with state or federal law. House Study Bill 61, which will be brought up in subcommittee at 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 29, would add community colleges to the legislation passed last year on DEI offices for public universities. Perceived violations of the law would be directed to the Iowa attorney general, according to the bill. If the university hasn't either corrected itself or proven there was no violation within 30 days of receiving notice, it would stop qualifying for the Iowa Tuition Grant program starting the next school year. Eligibility would be restored the next school year as well if a correction is made. A subcommittee will discuss the bill at 12:15 p.m. Feb. 4. House Study Bill 62 would require that at least half of funding for the Iowa Tuition Grant program go to students enrolling in degree programs relating to 'high-wage and high-demand jobs.' The Workforce Development Board would work with the Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and Universities to form a list of eligible job fields, according to the bill. A subcommittee will discuss the legislation at noon on Jan. 30. Iowa private higher education officials have previously expressed concerns about how changes to the Iowa Tuition Grant program could affect their institutions and students, but have indicated that they're willing to work with the higher education committee and provide them with the information and answers they require. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
