Northeastern Ohio Universities College of
MedicineResolution
in Opposition to Senate Bill 24
Whereas, Senate
Bill 24, also sometimes describes as an "academic bill of
rights," has been introduced in the 126th
session of the
Ohio General Assembly; and
Whereas, Senate Bill 24, if adopted into law, would impose
serious and unnecessary restrictions on the methods of
teaching, research, and grading used by college faculty;
and
Whereas, Senate Bill 24 contains language so vague as to
invite frivolous and unwarranted challenges to instruction
in topics central to medical education; and
Whereas, Senate Bill 24 imposes a chilling redefinition of
academic freedom by insisting that instructors not
"persistently introduc(e) controversial matter into the
classroom or coursework"; and
Whereas, Senate Bill 24 requires that faculty "provide
students with dissenting sources and viewpoints" with no
regard to the scientific validity of those sources or
viewpoints; and
Whereas, Senate Bill 24 is unnecessary because the NEOUCOM
Faculty Code of Professional Conduct mandates
non-discriminatory treatment, and objective and
unprejudiced evaluation of students; and
Whereas, Senate Bill 24 is unnecessary because the NEOUCOM
Faculty Code of Professional Conduct mandates that "Faculty
members shall promote academic freedom and its expression
in lectures, publications and other modes of information
dissemination" and "Faculty shall show due respect for
others and their opinions"; and
Whereas, Senate Bill 24 is unnecessary because the NEOUCOM
Student Handbook assures that "The frank discussion of
controversial ideas, the pursuit and publication of
controversial research and the study and teaching of
material with controversial content do not constitute
harassment, provided these activities are conducted in an
atmosphere of respect"; and
Whereas, Senate Bill 24 transfers authority for determining
the appropriate content of the medical curriculum from the
Faculty of the College to the Board of Trustees and the
courts;
Therefore, be it resolved that the Faculty Council of the
Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine opposes
Senate Bill 24 in spirit and in substance,
Be is further resolved, that a copy of this resolution be
provided to the Ohio Faculty Council and to the Faculty
Council or similar body of the academic institutions which
are members of the NEOUCOM consortium.