HB 213 -- INTELLECTUAL DIVERSITY IN PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION
(Cunningham, 86)

COMMITTEE OF ORIGIN:  Higher Education

This bill establishes the Emily Brooker Intellectual Diversity
Act, which defines intellectual diversity for reporting purposes
at public higher education institutions.  The Coordinating Board
for Higher Education will require, as of December 31, 2008, an
annual report describing steps taken by each institution to
ensure intellectual diversity, which must be posted on the
institution's web site.  The list of possible steps, which is not
mandatory, includes incorporating intellectual diversity, such as
race and gender, into admissions and hiring criteria; ensuring
religious freedom is protected in teaching and program
development guidelines; asking about intellectual diversity on
student course evaluations; and permitting diversity complaints
to be filed directly with the governing board. Students must be
notified that measures are in place to promote intellectual
diversity and how to report alleged violations of institutional
policy.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2008, FY 2009, and
FY 2010.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated July 25, 2007 at 11:18 am