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DePauw faculty expresses opposition to SB 202

Monday, March 11, 2024

During its regularly scheduled monthly meeting, the faculty of DePauw University overwhelming passed a motion expressing camaraderie with their colleagues at public universities across the state in opposition to Indiana SB 202.

The motion reads as follows: “In solidarity with our colleagues at public universities across Indiana, DePauw University faculty oppose Senate Bill 202: dangerous legislation that limits academic freedom, undermines tenure and promotion policies, chills campus speech across the political spectrum, and defunds crucial DEI initiatives.”

There were 82 faculty members who voted in favor of the motion, two voting in opposition and five abstentions.

This marks the first time a private university has weighed in on the controversial legislation, which was passed by both the Indiana Senate and Indiana House. Gov. Eric Holcomb had not signed the bill into law as of Monday morning.

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  • interesting. they are overwhelmingly taking the position they don't want to put a chill on any speech regardless of political perspective.

    I wonder if we see the staff support that position if speech they disagree with becomes present on campus. Of course, they hide behind "we are private so can control speech" position.

    I don't disagree on many levels so I personally find this area of their statement probably not being very accurate.

    The other areas I understand.

    -- Posted by beg on Mon, Mar 11, 2024, at 11:51 AM

  • To be fair, DePauw is trying despite a suspect track record on the issue of free speech.

    https://www.thefire.org/news/best-class-depauw-becomes-first-private-indiana-sch...

    -- Posted by The Crusty Curmudgeon on Mon, Mar 11, 2024, at 12:18 PM

  • I would like to take this opportunity to heartily disagree with the DePauw faculty. This should come as no surprise to pretty much anyone.

    -- Posted by techphcy on Mon, Mar 11, 2024, at 3:19 PM

  • As a DePauw alum, it does not surprise me that the university opposes this.....it undermines their ability to "teach" and have "academic freedom" which means the professors can't do whatever they want all the time. I honestly had a professor tell the class that he was trying to purposely fail the class because there were too many students in it and he didn't appreciate it.

    -- Posted by infiremanemt on Mon, Mar 11, 2024, at 3:52 PM

  • Colleges taking political stances are a big part of the reason higher ed. has become so distrusted. DEI is a political issue. Depauw is still part of the problem.

    -- Posted by Old Soul on Mon, Mar 11, 2024, at 5:18 PM

  • No, workplaces should not be bullying their majority political opinions. Not all who "voted" at work agree with their colleagues. Vote at the polls.

    -- Posted by letspulltogether on Tue, Mar 12, 2024, at 8:25 AM

  • Who wrote this article? Why doesn't this article provide a link to SB 202, or at least some details about the bill, so readers can make up their own minds? All we know is DePauw opposes it.

    -- Posted by Ben Dover on Tue, Mar 12, 2024, at 9:21 AM

  • Because you could read, gain self knowledge, and make an informed decision on your own?

    -- Posted by beg on Tue, Mar 12, 2024, at 3:08 PM

  • I wonder how long the "group of 7" will still be at DePauw?

    Review time could be interesting.

    -- Posted by beg on Tue, Mar 12, 2024, at 3:21 PM
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