A Concerned State Senator Responds

The fact that Senator Meier’s term is ending this month and he took the time to write this thoughtful letter in response to my Memo to ABOR Sponsors shows how this issue of academic freedom and the lack of intellectual diversity on campus touches a nerve and resonates with the public.

The Senate
State of New York
Raymond A. Meier
Senator, 47th District

December 14th 2006

Dear Mr. Orenstein,

I received your memo in which you ask for a modification or addition to New York Senate Bill S-6336 – The Academic Bill of Rights. Specifically, you request a provision that would protect “the civil exchange of ideas,” especially as those ideas are facilitated by campus speakers or campus literature. You make this request in light of an October 4 incident at Columbia University.

As a cosponsor of S-6336, I appreciate your concern about this matter. Indeed, I believe that we need to promote an academic culture marked by excellent scholarship, informed conversation, and respectful debate. The foundation of such a culture is, on the one hand a profound respect for the dignity and individuality of each student and professor, and on the other hand, a high regard for careful scholarship and the truth.

My concern for these things notwithstanding, I will be leaving my Senate seat at the end of the month. I am therefore not in a position to work toward a revision of the proposed Academic Bill of Rights. My suggestion is that you reach out to my colleague, the Honorable John A. DeFrancisco. As the sponsor of this legislation, Senator DeFrancisco will control whether there are any revisions made to it.

I wish you well as you endeavor to support and refine the Academic Bill of Rights. As you probably know, S-6336 remained in the Senate Higher Education Committee when the 2006 legislative Session came to a close. Hopefully this legislation will make progress in 2007.

Thank you for sharing with me your suggestion on this matter of mutual concern. Best wishes to you this holiday season.

Very truly yours,

Raymond A. Meier
New York State Senate
47th District