Title: Cracking Down on Higher Education: State Legislatures in the Spotlight Again
As legislative sessions kick off nationwide, higher education is once again a hot topic in several states. Lawmakers are pre-filing bills and announcing priorities, with broader curricular and governance issues taking center stage this year.
Assessing Iowa's Higher Education
Iowa's House of Representatives has formed a committee to review its higher education system. House Speaker Pat Grassley announced this comprehensive review as a much-needed step, naming Rep. Taylor Collins, R-Mediapolis, to head the committee. Collins, known for advocating for closing DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) offices at Iowa's public universities, plans a holistic review, focusing on how institutions spend state dollars and meet state workforce needs. The Des Moines Register raised concerns over Collins' leadership, pointing to his role in the failed "Higher Education Reform Act" and urging caution against micro-management or blind swings.
Wary Utah Legislators
Higher education leaders in Utah are bracing for budget changes, with House Speaker Mike Schultz pushing for more efficiency. Schultz suggested considering a 10% reallocation in appropriations for Utah's 16 public colleges and universities. While acknowledging the importance of higher education for Utah's economy, Schultz emphasized the need for universities to streamline low-performing programs and adjust to businesses' needs. Faculty worry that the arts and humanities might be targeted, while more professional programs like engineering and nursing will be prioritized.
Texas' Role in University Governance
In Texas, Governor Dan Patrick has tasked lawmakers with investigating the role of faculty senates in university governance, curriculum development, and institutional decision-making. Recent years have seen attacks on shared governance, and Texas could be the next state to limit faculty's authority in university decision-making.
Ohio's SB 83 Re-emergence
Ohio's Senator Jerry Cirino plans to re-introduce Senate Bill 83, which passed in the senate but died in the House last year. The bill, highly controversial and divisive, aimed to ban mandatory DEI training, terminate tenured professors for various reasons, and prohibit universities from taking public stances on controversial topics. If re-introduced and passed, the proposal could impact academic freedom and the relationship between universities and government.
- The legislative session in Ohio has seen Senator Jerry Cirino pre-filing Senate Bill 83 once again, a controversial bill that aims to restrict DEI training, tenure, and university stances on controversial topics.
- Despite concerns about potential budget cuts, Utah's higher education institutions are closely monitoring legislation proposed by House Speaker Mike Schultz, which includes a possible 10% reallocation in appropriations and a focus on efficiency and adjustments to meet businesses' needs.
- Higher education legislation in Texas is under scrutiny, with Governor Dan Patrick calling for an investigation into the role of faculty senates in university governance, curriculum development, and decision-making, which could potentially limit faculty authority in these areas.
- Iowa's higher education system is being reviewed by a committee led by Rep. Taylor Collins, who has previously shown support for closing DEI offices and reallocating resources to address state workforce needs, sparking concerns from some advocates who worry about the balance between efficiency and maintaining diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in higher education.
