Faculty discuss House bill effects

IU's Progressive Faculty Coalition held a forum Friday afternoon to discuss a U.S. House of Representatives bill the PFC says could threaten academic freedom in higher education. \nThe forum attracted a full house of students, citizens and faculty members concerned with implications the bill might have on the future of higher education. \nThe bill in question, HR 3077, which has already passed in the House, proposes to renew Title VI of the 1965 Higher Education Act. \nAmong other things, Title VI provides funding for area studies centers and programs at many universities across the nation. Although HR 3077 will renew Title VI funding, the bill also includes provisions for the creation of an "International Higher Education Advisory Board," with members appointed by Secretary of Education Rod Paige, in consultation with the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Tom Ridge.\n"My concern is that this is going to be a biased board that looks at our syllabi and tells us what to teach," said John Hanson, director of the African Studies Program. \nAccording to the bill, the International Advisory Board "shall provide advice, counsel and recommendations to the Congress and to the Secretary on international education issues for higher education." It will also be the job of this board to recommend improvements to programs funded under Title VI so that the teaching can better reflect the needs of our country's security since Sept. 11. \nAssistant Professor of English Eva Cherniavsky said this bill is dangerous because it reflects a thorough rethinking of public education. \n"Should education function as a commission to serve the interests or aim of those who foot the bill?" Cherniavsky asked the audience.\nIn his article "Ivory Bias on the Hill" written in defense of HR 3077, Stanley Kurtz explains this advisory board is necessary to reinstate the conservative viewpoints which he says have been eliminated from the academy.\n"These subsidized programs have a one-sided bias against American foreign policy and discourage students from serving their country in a national security capacity," Kurtz said.\nFreshman Jessica Ferri said she found flaws with Kurtz's arguments and others who support HR 3077. \n"They want to say we're promoting a liberal ideology when they're trying to promote a conservative ideology," she said.\nAt the conclusion of Friday's program, many audience members expressed their concern. The forum quickly became an open discussion.\n"It has to be known that the academy is united against this bill," said David Ransel, director of the Russian and East European Institute.\nThe PFC encouraged the audience to inform their senators of their disapproval of the bill. Cherniavsky also recognized the power of communication within the University community.\n"It is important that everyone knows about this bill and understands its implications," she said. \n-- Contact staff writer Vanessa Caruso at vcaruso@indiana.edu.