Northeastern Ohio Universities College of
Medicine
Resolution 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.