Committee moves forward amended bill dealing with higher ed tenure and academic freedom | News [Video]

INDIANAPOLIS (WTHI) – The Indiana House Education Committee has passed an amended version of a controversial higher education bill. 

Senate Bill 202’s author, Sen. Spencer Deery, says the legislation codifies protections for tenured public university faculty from retaliation for the content of their research or criticizing the administration, or academic freedom. The bill also aims to promote “cultural and intellectual diversity.” It allows faculty to be denied tenure if they were found likely to enforce their viewpoints on students.

Opponents feel the legislation would actually hurt the educational community in Indiana by allowing universities to deny tenure, based on their political views. Some feel the faculty reviews outlined in the bill are outside of the traditional realm of board member duties.

The faculty senates at Purdue University and Indiana State Universityhave …