Iowa authorities disregard calls for further adjustments in the recently implemented policy banning alleged 'brainwashing' practices
The Iowa Board of Regents has approved policy changes on academic freedom and class content, aiming to address concerns about 'indoctrination' that have been raised by Republican lawmakers. The revised policy allows Iowa's public university faculty to teach controversial subjects, but they must present them in a manner that fosters critical thinking and avoids indoctrination of one perspective.
Months before the board brought forward the proposed policy change, Republican lawmakers sponsored a bill prohibiting certain requirements for students and faculty on regent institutions relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion and critical race theory. This bill, however, was not included in the final policy changes.
The policy changes approved by the board include a focus on how instructors teach instead of what they teach, with exceptions for faculty who apply and receive approval for courses with substantial DEI- and CRT-related content. Faculty are required to encourage open and respectful inquiry, reflect a range of scholarly views, and ensure student grades reflect mastery of course content - not agreement with it.
The United Faculty union at the University of Northern Iowa and the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) chapter at Iowa State University wrote to the board, imploring them to delay the vote on the policy update. They raised questions about definitions and how faculty are supposed to comply without more clarity. Senator Herman Quirmbach also wrote to the board, suggesting they focus on delivery, not content, and expressing concerns about the evenhandedness of the board's approach.
The National Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) wrote to the board, urging them to revise the proposed language to affirm academic freedom for professors. FIRE Director of Policy Reform, Laura Beltz, stated that the revised language could still be applied to restrict faculty members' academic freedom rights and that FIRE will be watching how this policy is applied in practice. FIRE also expressed concern that faculty may feel pressured to spend valuable class time teaching beyond the scope of the class to include all schools of thought.
Regent Robert Cramer stated that the board's aim was to craft a policy on how things are presented instead of banning certain topics. He concurred with other Republican lawmakers, stating that the indoctrination of certain ideas does not belong at Iowa's universities. Regent Cramer mentioned that the board is trying to change a culture.
Republican lawmakers, such as Rep. Craig Williams and Rep. Steven Holt, have threatened to bring the issue back up next session if the board does not 'get it done'. They have voiced their disapproval of the board's delay in coming back with revisions in July until mid-August.
The Iowa Board of Regents approved the policy changes on Aug 12. Faculty and advocacy groups have voiced concern that the proposed policy would be an impediment to designing courses that best serve students' needs and would risk interfering with academic freedom. Despite these concerns, the board has moved forward with the changes, aiming to foster a culture of open inquiry and critical thinking while avoiding indoctrination.
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