Maryville College Democrats: Things to consider...

Both Tennessee State Senator Raymond Finney, and State Representative Stacy Campfield, have introduced legislation that would hinder the academic integrity of colleges and universities across the state of Tennessee. The goal of this bill, according to its sponsors, is to make sure that students that have “different political and religious belief” from their professors do not receive grades based their political affiliation or religious background. However, the bill in itself, outlines more than just how student should be graded. These are just a few things to consider when looking at the “Academic Restriction” Bill:

Under this legislation, a “statewide institutional grievance procedure” would be enacted. The problem is that most universities already have an appeal process. This bill does not clarify who will over see the grievance procedure. And given the fact that most college and universities already have this in place, do we really want someone in our state legislature to review our grades?

Censorship would be applied to the class room if this bill were to pass. The bill cites that professors shall not ”introduce controversial matter into the classroom.” The Gospel of Thomas being discussed in a New Testament Studies would be an example of a topic that most Christians would find offensive; however, it is needed in the class room since the class discusses how the New Testament came about.

Students would be required to be graded on answers to where the professor takes into consideration their “political [and] religious beliefs.” In other words, a Muslim taking part in a Christian studies class would have to be grade on his/her political and religious beliefs. This is just foolish to ask a professor to figure out what every student’s political and religious beliefs are.

Just when you thought our state government had enough problems with its budget, they want to stick their hands in student activities fees. According to the “Academic Restriction” Bill, Student Government Associations would be required to distribute fess to student organizations to “maintain a posture of neutrality.” Some organizations have larger memberships and thus require more funds to keep their members active. Let’s also not forget that it isn’t the state’s job to tell us what to do with our student activity funds.

“Alright enough already! Maryville College is a private institution; this wouldn’t even affect us, right?” Actually, there is the chance that we could fall under this legislation. Keep in mind that we do receive state money from the Tennessee Lottery. This money is state government money, and if the state felt that all colleges and universities that received the lotto scholarships must be under this legislation, the lotto scholarships go or the academic integrity goes.

The most import reason we should take action against the “Academic Restriction” Bill is that our State Senator, Raymond Finney, is sponsoring this bill. Hello! Don’t you think it is time that the people that represent you hear you out??

Finally, this isn’t a democrat verse republican issue. This is when we come together as students and realize that censorship should not be place in the class room. Even one of the sponsors, Stacy Campfield put it best (I am sure it will be removed from his blog shortly), “When there is a free flow of ideas, thoughts, and feelings regardless of point of view people are more informed and the cream tends to rise.”

“So what can I do?” Well, there are two things you can do. You can start by signing the petition that will be handed to Senator Finney when he visits Maryville College on April 29^th. The second thing you can do is contact your SGA Representatives and Senators and tell them to sign the a resolution that would protect our college from this legislation. This resolution will be considered on April 21^st or the 28^th (depending on when SGA brings it up for discussion). The resolution basically says that we, as students of Maryville College, are against the proposed legislation.