Horowitz returns to IU to discuss classroom bias

Where nationally known political activist David Horowitz goes, debate seems to follow. In 2001, his nationally placed newspaper ad regarding slave reparations caused a political uproar. In 2004, he fought an IU course description with which he disagreed. Now, he's speaking at 7 p.m. tonight at the IU Auditorium to promote his newest political issue: the Academic Bill of Rights. His speech and question and answer session is sponsored by the IU College Republicans and the Union Board.\nThe Academic Bill of Rights, authored by Horowitz, is the basis for Indiana House Bill No. 1531. The bill, which is currently in the Committee on Education, addresses political and religious diversity at universities. It would require diversity in the professoriate and in course topics, as well as prohibit discriminatory hiring and keep professors from expressing personal views in class. Additionally, it mandates diversity in on-campus speakers.\n"The only diversity in speakers IU brings in is how liberal they are," said College Republicans Chairman and sophomore Andrew Lauck. "There are so many well-educated conservatives who would be entertaining."\nHorowitz, who is visiting several colleges in Indiana this week, said he is concerned with the state's educational situation.\n"I'm trying to take politics out of the classroom and return higher education and educational values," he said. "There are too many political ideologues posing as professors. The classroom is not a political soapbox."\nHe said students are being scammed by universities when they pay thousands of dollars for classes that aren't teaching what the course description says. For example, Horowitz said a 2004 IU School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation course on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration was "entirely devoted to the Middle East." \n"Students signed up (and paid tuition) to get in a class and are trapped," he said. "They have a professor spouting ignorance."\nHorowitz said he targets college students because they need help defending themselves against educational "abuse" -- like one-sided teaching methods. \nLauck said it is impossible to get a full education hearing only one side of an issue in a class.\n"I think the University and individuals should respect people for political and religious beliefs," he said. "The Academic Bill of Rights allows respect for everybody."\nIU Communication and Culture professor Robert Ivie said there are going to be flaws in every institution and IU has policies in place to handle issues like indoctrination. Ivie said Horowitz just likes to "stir things up." Ivie described Horowitz as a political warrior trying to keep people's heads up.\n"(Horowitz) bounces around from particular causes," Ivie said. \nIn fact, the Academic Bill of Rights is not the first debatable topic Horowitz has used to "stir up" IU. In 2001, the Indiana Daily Student ran an advertisement from Horowitz that created an uproar across campus. It was titled "Ten Reasons why Reparations for Slavery is a Bad Idea -- and Racist Too."\nHorowitz said he was glad the ad caused debate, but said it said he didn't recall any intellectual response to the ad.\n"The response to the ad was that people demonstrated, called names and did everything but construct an argument," he said.\nUnion Board Director for Campus Community Stephan Jerabek said the Union Board is happy to play host to Horowitz, despite his past relationship with IU.\n"It's Union Board's goal to put on the best student programs at the least cost," he said. "Controversy is in the eye of the beholder. It's a unique opportunity (for) Union Board."\nWhile many people at IU do not agree with Horowitz's beliefs, he is not hesitant about speaking tonight.\n"I would hope there would be no hostility," he said. "This is supposed to be a college campus; intellectual and civilized."\n-- Contact Staff Writer Stephanie Susman at ssusman@indiana.edu.