This is truly a bad idea. In an effort to rein in liberal professors at Colorado colleges and universities, a conservative legislator will introduce an Academic Bill of Rights this week.

The proposed academic bill of rights is aimed at protecting conservative students who say they are targets of harassment and discrimination by left-leaning faculty because of their political beliefs.

Student leaders at the University of Colorado at Boulder reacted with fear. This whole bill is scary to me," said Sergio Gonzales, one of three student body leaders. Gonzales said the measure could affect what is taught in the classroom and the type of outside speakers invited to address students.

"Having the legislature say that controversial material not covered in the course syllabus should not be introduced is extremely dangerous. Higher education is meant to expand people's minds and challenge their ways of thinking," Gonzales said. "This isn't K-12. We're talking about adults who go to college who should be talking about controversial topics. Besides, who is to decide what is controversial?"

....Ryan Miccio, head of legislative affairs for the Associated Students of Colorado State University in Fort Collins,...said he is worried. "I would be concerned about any legislation that could potentially alter university curriculum, and it sounds like this could," Miccio said.

Rumblings about the bill, to be introduced Wednesday, made the news in September. Denver Post columnist Diane Carman called it " another goofy lesson in politics." Jesse Walker at Reason had this to say. [links to September articles via Walter in Denver .] RMPN says "Not So Fast."

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