The Republican majority in the Florida legislature is attempting to pass legislation requiring public colleges and universities to survey students, faculty, and staff about their beliefs and viewpoints. The bill, known as House Bill 233, has been proposed as a way to “protect the intellectual freedom and viewpoint diversity” available on state campuses, preventing university officials from restricting offensive or uncomfortable rhetoric on campus.
KEY CONCERNS:
- What will be done with the survey results?
- Survey language included in the bill does not guarantee the anonymity of respondents
ARGUMENTS FOR HOUSE BILL 233
- Results should be used to inform institutions if there is a lack of intellectual freedom or viewpoint diversity on campus, enabling meaningful improvement in those areas
- Legislature can “use the data as the basis to make policy decisions“
ARGUMENTS AGAINST HOUSE BILL 233
- Faculty is concerned that passing the proposal would limit their freedom of speech by enforcing documentation of the personal opinions of students and faculty
- The bill would prevent colleges from “shielding” students, faculty, and staff from speech that could be categorized as “offensive,” potentially enabling groups like the Proud Boys and the KKK to hold events on campus
BY THE NUMBERS:
- The topic of “Intellectual Diversity” received 790 mentions over the past week, spiking 121% following coverage from the Miami Herald and Tampa Bay Times
- 77% of reactions on Facebook were angry, with a majority of negative comments being directed at the Republic Party, referencing cancel culture, “the party embracing fascism,” and that the”GOP is out of touch with the growing diversity of the country
Source: Brandwatch + BuzzSumo