new bill to shut down political debate at universities Options

[Seeker]

http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/medi...m-2790881.shtml
http://www.digg.com/politics/To_Protect_Co...olitical_Debate

Assuming that college students are too dumb to think for themselves, a Texan lawmaker introduced a bill to "protect" them - by limiting political debate. Sir, if you really wanted to help college students, why not worry about how to make colleges more affordable so that ALL students can attend & decide what they want to do - or believe.

[pebkac]

Sigh.... all this arguing over something when no one actually knows what exactly this thing IS. It's just a freakin' resolution. It doesn't do anything at all...

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/b...ml/SC00003I.htm

WHEREAS, A vibrant and dynamic system of higher education in
Texas is essential to the continued well-being and prosperity of
the state and its diverse citizenry, contributing to the
propagation of new ideas, the preservation of cultural legacies,
and the vitality of the political discourse that is the hallmark of
all healthy democracies; and
WHEREAS, While each college and university may serve one or
more specific purposes, higher education's overarching mission in
general is to promote the pursuit of truth and the advancement of
knowledge through rigorous scholarship and research and to promote
the transmission of knowledge to society at large through teaching
and the development of students into creative and responsible
individuals; and
WHEREAS, An institution of higher education cannot achieve
these goals or fulfill its central mission, however, unless it
respects the rights and privileges of each participant in the
process, student and faculty member alike, recognizing the
diversity of opinion that exists in the classroom and on campus; and
WHEREAS, Because the pursuit of truth inevitably entails a
spirit of questioning and the close study and reasoned criticism of
dogma, conventions, and traditions, the unfettered inquiry and the
attendant freedom to speak out and to challenge are indispensable;
without that spirit and freedom, the process, the participants, and
the outcomes are all diminished; and
WHEREAS, Given that higher education is enriched by
individuals from all walks of life and the diversity of traditions
that shape the ideas they bring to this marketplace, colleges and
universities must make and periodically renew their commitment to
valuing and respecting diversity in intellectual and political
viewpoints regardless of whose viewpoint it is or the position or
role of the individual who holds it; and
WHEREAS, The academic freedom accorded faculty and that
freedom to which students are entitled are both essential and
complementary components of success in intellectual endeavors, and
policies that protect one's freedom need not and should not
infringe upon or diminish the freedom of another; and
WHEREAS, To that end, it may be justifiably expected that
colleges and universities would periodically review their policies
with respect to faculty and student rights and grievance procedures
to ensure that intellectual and political diversity is recognized,
valued, and protected; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 80th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby encourage the state's colleges and universities to implement
policies to safeguard the academic freedom of faculty and students
alike and ensure the diversity of opinion not only in the classroom
and campus but beyond; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the secretary of state forward official copies
of this resolution to the commissioner of higher education and to
the chair of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.