It was quiet time in the state senate today. At least two higher-education presidents, one from Weber State and the other from Salt Lake Community College, kept their lips zipped in a meeting where diversity programs at Utah colleges were discussed. They were there, but they did not speak.
Utah's commissioner for higher education, Geoff Landward, was a little braver. He measured his words, hopeful he was not speaking out of turn, but worried that the proposed law "inhibits our mission of increasing access and increasing completion" rates for students.
Tuesday's meeting was not the first occasion in which our higher-education leaders have been silent. None of the leaders of the state's colleges and universities have publicly given their opinions on diversity, equity and inclusion since those policies have come under attack from Utah's leaders, including from and perhaps particularly from the governor.
Why? Perhaps we should ask them. But there is this little matter of how the state frowns on teachers and education leaders expressing their opinions on what are considered political matters. Classrooms are not the place for politics, goes the argument.
Are our education leaders intimidated by the pressure to stay clear of political issues? Is freedom of speech being muffled? Of all people who should have been offering comment and input on the proposed legislation, our education leaders should have been the first. These are the people on the front line. They own the most experience on the matter. They are your experts. Seeing the education leaders in the audience, those on the Senate Education Committee should have invited them to speak, telling them to speak freely.
Listen to your experts, instead of silencing them. Freedom of speech is not just for politicians, but for educators, as well. How can you teach freedom if you do not have it?
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