Dear Ohio Colleagues:
Congratulations on the defeat of SB 24. Ohio faculty were loud and clear in their opposition to this legislation, which would have mandated David Horowitz’s interpretation of student rights on every campus in Ohio.
The members of the Government Relations Committee are pleased to see that Ohio legislators respect the academic independence of Ohio colleges and universities. Indeed, matters of curriculum and teaching always belong on the campus and not in the legislature. Your state representatives and senators now know more than ever before about the importance of academic freedom on Ohio’s campuses.
As the intentions of the Inter-University Council’s resolution are developed and shared with faculty, we believe that most campuses will find that existing policies and practices already cover the issues raised in the proposed legislation. We urge you to work with your faculty senates to ensure that any new policies they adopt are consistent with the principles that protect the character of higher education in this country. We are confident that faculty and administrators will continue their solid commitment to maintaining the integrity of scholarship in their institutions.
Sincerely,
Mark Smith
Director, Government Relations
American Association of University Professors
(Posted 9/17/05)