Bill seeks ‘intellectual diversity’
Saying that they want to ensure that a wide range of views is heard and tolerated on college campuses, a group of state lawmakers is proposing legislation that would ask South Dakota’s six state universities to report periodically on their efforts to promote “intellectual diversity.â€Â
Generally the Chief has his hackles raided by the term “diversity” – but in the academic context, with it’s often far-left domination in certain (un)disciplines, diversity translates into making it safe for conservatives to be…conservative! What a concept!
Rep. Phyllis Heineman, R-Sioux Falls, chairwoman of the House Education Committee and the chief sponsor of HB1222, said Wednesday that the goal is to prevent situations already seen in other states where students, speakers and faculty members have been harassed because of their views. “This is not an indictment at all,†Heineman said. “For us, it is good governance.â€Â
Hear, hear! The Chief likes this one! Cut ’em off at the pass! Of course the voice of professional academia is a bit more jaundiced:
Tad Perry, executive director of the South Dakota Board of Regents, said that he discussed the idea with Heineman but that he hasn’t yet read the bill. He said it could raise some concerns. “If it is just about making a report, we could go along with that,†he said. “If it goes beyond that, I might have some questions.â€Â
What some academics have done is to forget that “academic freedom” is a two-edged sword – if they have it, then so do those they disagree with. In cases where this has been abused, more than a report might well be necessary, and if so, then too bad for the concerns of the academic establishment.