Indiana lawmakers ended the legislative session last week with multiple bills that will affect Indiana students in the future. Of the numerous bills brought forth, Senate Bill 202 was one of the most controversial.
SB 202 would make changes to Indiana colleges’ tenure, promotion and diversity policies. It would stop colleges from offering tenure or promoting faculty who do not expose students to “programming that substantially promotes both cultural and intellectual diversity,” according to the bill, and create complaint procedures for professors who share political opinions unrelated to their academic discipline. It would also have colleges consider “intellectual diversity” in policies along with cultural diversity.
The bill’s author, Senator Spencer Deery (R-West Lafayette), stated it would help more conservative students feel comfortable on university campuses.
It has since garnered mixed feelings from Democrats, Republicans and organizations in Indianapolis.
“In what it targets—diversity, equity, and inclusion—and who it targets—Black university faculty—SB 202 is clearly racist,” said the leader of Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis, pastor David Greene.
Greene also asked to meet with Governor Eric Holcomb to inform him of serious concerns about the bill’s attack on civil rights and to challenge him to veto the bill. Holcomb turned down the request, according to a press release from the University Alliance for Racial Justice.
“The passage of Senate Enrolled Act 202 by the Indiana General Assembly is a win for academic freedom, free expression and intellectual diversity on college campuses and a victory for those of us who believe universities should challenge students by fostering intellectually diverse communities,” Deery said in support of the bill.
The Indiana legislature has approved the bill, and if it is signed into law by Holcomb, it will take effect July 1, 202
