Bill to prevent expression of personal beliefs in education

A group of Republican state lawmakers have decided to take political action against professors who use their classrooms as a forum for their religious and political beliefs.

Rep. Stacey Campfield, R-Knoxville, and Sen. Raymond Finney, R-Maryville, are proposing an academic bill of rights, which they say will protect students from political or religious “indoctrination.”

The bill states that students should have the right “to expect that their academic freedom will not be infringed upon by instructors who introduce controversial matter into the classroom or course work that is substantially unrelated to the subject of study.”

Charles H. Reynolds, professor of religious studies, said that the faculty handbook already addresses the issue. The handbook states that the “classroom should not be used as a theater for expression of personal views not germane to the course.”

“I think that it is foolish for the Legislature to get involved in managing the institution ... It’s just not needed,” Reynolds said.

Campfield said university regulations have not been effective in protecting students’ academic freedom.

“It’s still a problem,” he said.

The bill calls for the Tennessee Higher Education Commission to adopt a system to accept complaints from students who feel their rights have been violated. The bill would also address funding for speakers, which Campfield said are disproportionately liberal.

“The university really is one of the last bastions of liberalism,” he said.

Peter Hazel, junior in political science, said that “indoctrination” has not been a problem for him.

“All the classes I’ve been in, they’ve been very good at arguing both sides,” he said.

Hazel questioned whether the bill would be enforceable. He envisions students using the academic bill of rights as an excuse to appeal for a higher grade without a legitimate reason.

“You have no proof,” he said. “There is no way to say ‘yeah, this is a legitimate complaint’ or ‘no, you’re just full of it.’”

Campfield said that he has received an abundance of e-mails and phone calls, thanking him for sponsoring the bill.

Similar legislation has been proposed in 20 other states, and Students for Academic Freedom, a Washington, D.C.-based student network founded by conservative activist David Horowitz, has been involved in pushing lawmakers to sponsor legislation dealing with academic freedom.