The GOP-controlled state Senate in Florida is considering a measure that will examine the beliefs of university students and faculties on campus in an effort to assess intellectual diversity on university campuses.
The account would require the State Board of Education to set up a non-party committee to conduct an annual survey asking about the beliefs of those on campus and whether they feel comfortable sharing these beliefs in class.
State Senator Ray Rodrigues (R) introduced the bill in an effort to protect “intellectual freedom and diversity of opinion,” the Miami Herald. report.
Along with the survey, the student will be able to record their professors’ lectures for personal educational use or for evidence in a civil or criminal case. The lecture may not be posted without the permission of the professor.
The bill also prohibits schools from protecting students and faculties from ‘offensive speech’.
Democrats have expressed several concerns about the legislation, including how the results will be used and what type of groups will be allowed on campus if schools are unable to ban certain types of speech.
Republicans largely dismissed the concerns, saying the bill would help schools determine how comfortable students are on campus and that schools can improve their education.
The bill will be put to the vote soon and is expected to pass along party lines.