University faculty remain wary of proposed changes to a federal law governing international studies that were passed in the U.S. House on Tuesday. The changes are part of the first reauthorization to the Higher Education Act since the Sept. 11 attacks.
Revisions in the law create an advisory board responsible for monitoring and evaluating international studies programs. Liberal Arts Dean Richard Lari-viere worries that the board would be unaccountable and may restrict academic freedom.
"While it's true that there has been some easing of the language, the basic principle of endowing an uncontrolled, politically appointed body to interfere in the academic process is troubling," he said.
The Higher Education Act of 1965, an enormous law that determines federal funding and policy for higher education institutions, is reauthorized every six years and last received similar scrutiny in 1998.
House Resolution 3077 reauthorizes grants to international studies and foreign language programs in the Higher Education Act. The resolution would also create a seven-member Inter-national Higher Education Advisory Board, with two seats occupied by representatives of national security agencies. The board would study and make recommendations on international programs to Congress and the secretary of education.
"International and foreign language studies have taken on increased importance in today's world climate, and as such, it is more important than ever that Congress and the secretary of education do all we can to ensure these programs are fulfilling their purpose," said Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Mich., on the House floor Tuesday during debate on the bill.
The board would review grants given to international studies programs, evaluate the activities of the programs, and make recommendations to adjust programs to "better reflect the national needs related to the homeland security, international education and international affairs."
Rep. Howard Berman, D-Calif., said in the same floor debate that while the board would not encroach on academic freedoms and he supported the use of tax dollars to fund international programs, he hoped the new oversight would curtail "anti-American bias" and a lack of balance in the instruction of some Middle East departments.
"It is troubling when evidence suggests that many of the Middle East regional studies guarantees are committed to a narrow point of view at odds with our national interest, a point of view that questions the validity of advancing American ideals of democracy and the rule of law around the world, and in the Middle East in particular," he said.
Language in the bill describing the advisory board's role has been added to emphasize that the board is not authorized to "mandate, direct or control" an institution's curriculum or content.
Though Lariviere said that international studies programs have always had important roles in exposing students to potential national security careers, the new language of the bill describing the scope of the committee was distressingly vague.
"That's an improvement, but it does not completely alleviate my concern about political interference in the classroom," Lariviere said. "There are all kinds of uncertainties of who will determine what these standards are and who will enforce them."
Rep. Dale Kildee, D-Mich, also expressed concern over the language of the bill in the Tuesday debate.
"While I support this legislation, we should continue to refine the purpose and scope of the board's responsibilities," he said.
Not all faculty following the progress of HR 3077 are still concerned, however. David Platt, director of the Center for International Business Education and Research, said that he would continue to monitor the bill but that the new language was encouraging.
"So far, that wording has been fairly reasonable," Platt said. "It's a little bit ambiguous right now, and that's probably the only concern people have about it - it's not exactly clear what this council is supposed to do."
The bill must now be studied, debated and passed in the Senate, and then approved by a conference committee made up of both Senate and House members before it becomes law.
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