Sometimes, bills die along the path of the legislative process. I had one killed a few days ago in the Senate that dealt with academic freedom.

A bill to protect university faculty academic speech died in a Senate committee Tuesday.

The House bill authored by Rep. Chuck Owen, R-Rosepine, in its original form would have prohibited professors from receiving punishments for things said in the classroom or research topics. However, it was heavily watered down before advancing from the House floor.

The bill was kept in committee by Senate Judiciary A, on a 4-1 vote.

“I’m very frustrated,” Owen said.

As created, the bill provided protections and civil remedies for university staff who faced retributive action based on academic speech, allowing for punitive damages up to $500,000 and fines up to $100,000 against the university.

Owen testified he filed the bill because of cases of academics facing punitive actions for things said in class. He did not specify certain incidents, only saying he has seen faculty members sanctioned for espousing liberal or conservative viewpoints.

“I simply want our academics to know whether I agree with them, whether it’s someone from the left or from the right, that they can go into class and teach,” Owen said in committee.

I am an absolute advocate of academic freedom. I am especially concerned for professors who have been punished in various corners of our state for saying things that make people uncomfortable.

My initial bill had new penalties. I decided to amend it slightly because our law already has recourse for intimidation and misbehavior by universities and other public entities. So, by the time my bill got to the Senate, it had simply new definitions and some expanded wording what academic freedom means and I had some new whistleblowing provisions. This bill passed the House unanimously.

In a bizarre moment, the bill was rejected in a committee, almost without discussion. I got two easy questions and then it went to a vote and it was eliminated.
I’m frustrated, but am not giving up.

I FIRMLY believe young people need to be challenged, Not insulted. Not intimidated BUT CHALLENGED.

When I went to school 40 something years back, my whole world view was challenged by professors. Though they challenged me, they let me respond and taught me HOW to think and how to challenge. In the end, they did not tear down my world view, but helped me understand it better. Some of my best teachers were those I did not agree with….

That’s what I think the college experience should be.

The State should NOT be in the business of muting professors.

I’ll be back.