Meeting Public Comments

Subcommittee meeting and times are as follows:

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SF 244

A bill for an act providing for general education requirements for undergraduate students at regents institutions and including applicability provisions.

Agenda

Subcommittee members: Green-CH, Pike, Quirmbach

Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Time: 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Location: Lobbyist Lounge

Comments Submitted:

The purpose of comments is to provide information to members of the subcommittee.

Names and comments are public records. Remaining information is considered a confidential record.

03-02-2025

Stacy Volmer

I strongly oppose Senate File 244, the "Core Curriculum Act," as it imposes rigid, onesizefitsall general education requirements on Iowas regents institutions. This bill limits institutional autonomy and undermines academic freedom by restricting the types of courses that can fulfill general education credits. It enforces arbitrary mandates like "Western Heritage" and "American Heritage" while excluding broader, more diverse perspectives essential to a comprehensive education. Furthermore, the prohibition on teaching "identity politics" or systemic issues risks censoring critical discussions on race, gender, and inequalityan infringement on free academic inquiry. Such limitations jeopardize the ability of educators to prepare students for a diverse and global society. This legislation represents unnecessary government overreach into higher education, curtailing intellectual freedom and reducing the quality and inclusivity of education. I urge you to reject Senate File 244 to preserve academic integrity and institutional independence.

03-03-2025

Landon Storrs

As a citizen and as a history professor with thirty years' experience in Texas and Iowa public universities, I strongly oppose this bill as costly, unnecessary, and intrusive government interference into educational curricula. We all want college students to be wellrounded and ready to engage with a rapidly changing world, but legislative dictates as to what must and must be taught are associated with authoritarianism and will undermine the quality and reputation of Iowa's public colleges and universities.