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Indiana Law Mandates Professors to Advocate for ‘Intellectual Diversity’ or Face Consequences

Indiana Law Requires Professors to Promote ‘Intellectual Diversity’ or Face Penalties

A new law in Indiana has sparked significant controversy as it requires professors in public universities to promote ‘intellectual diversity’ or potentially face disciplinary actions, including termination, even for those with tenure. The legislation, signed by Governor Eric Holcomb on March 13, connects the job status of faculty members to their promotion of ‘free inquiry’ and ‘free expression’ as determined by the university’s board of trustees.

State Senator Spencer Deery, the bill’s sponsor, has emphasized the inclusion of more conservative viewpoints on campus as a key aspect of the law. This move reflects a broader trend among Republican-led states to exercise greater control over the content taught in classrooms at public universities.

The response to the law has been robust, with hundreds of individuals writing letters or testifying at hearings to express their opposition. Faculty senates at multiple institutions have also voiced their concerns, labeling the legislation as government overreach and a threat to academic free speech. Irene Mulvey, president of the American Association of University Professors, criticized the law as “thought policing” and a violation of the principles of academic freedom.

Under the new law, set to take effect in July, university trustees are empowered to withhold tenure or promotions from faculty members who are perceived as failing to promote ‘intellectual diversity’ or expose students to a range of political perspectives. Tenured faculty will undergo regular reviews to assess their adherence to these criteria, with the possibility of demotion or termination if found lacking. The legislation also mandates colleges to establish a formal process for lodging complaints against faculty members who do not meet these requirements.

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While the law does not restrict faculty from criticizing the institution or engaging in political activities outside of their teaching responsibilities, it represents a significant shift in the relationship between educators and university governance. Governor Holcomb has expressed confidence in public universities to implement the law effectively while safeguarding the rights of all individuals.

Indiana’s legislation is part of a broader trend seen in other states, such as Florida, Texas, and Nebraska, where proposals to limit tenure have been put forth. Republican-led states have also targeted diversity programs in universities, with several enacting measures that curtail or eliminate such initiatives.

Critics of the law, including faculty members like Alice Pawley of Purdue University, have raised concerns about the subjective nature of the criteria and the potential impact on job security. Many fear that decisions regarding their professional standing will be made by individuals who lack expertise in their fields, leading to a climate of uncertainty and apprehension among educators.

Keith E. Whittington, a politics professor at Princeton University, highlighted the ambiguity of the law and its implications for academic freedom. While acknowledging the need for diverse viewpoints on campus, Whittington cautioned against any policy that restricts educators’ professional judgment and creates a climate of fear among faculty members.

The uniqueness of Indiana’s law lies in its focus on compelling professors to introduce a variety of ideas in their classes, rather than punishing them for controversial content. However, critics argue that this approach may still stifle academic freedom by placing undue pressure on educators to conform to external standards.

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As the July implementation date approaches, professors in Indiana and across the country are grappling with the implications of this legislation on their academic freedom and professional autonomy. The debate over intellectual diversity in higher education is likely to intensify as educators navigate the complexities of balancing diverse perspectives while upholding the principles of academic freedom.

Intellectuals Insider

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Is now the right time to invest in gold as prices have cooled?

Now may be the time to buy gold following a recent lull in its price.

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The price of gold has climbed to record highs recently and has remained strong through much of April. And, that growth continued until the precious metal traded at around $2,390 per ounce on April 19, 2024. But since, growth in the price of the precious metal has cooled, with gold’s price now hovering around $2,300 per ounce.

This lull in gold’s price may represent an investment opportunity.

In general, investing is centered around buying assets when prices are low and selling them when prices are high – generating a profit on the difference between the two. So, considering the declines in gold’s price over the past few days, now may be the time to make your investment. But is buying gold during this lull in prices really a good idea?

Compare your gold investment options among leading brokers now.

Gold prices have cooled. Should you buy in now?

With gold’s price down from recent highs, you may be wondering if now is the right time to buy in. There are several reasons the dip in gold’s price may represent an opportunity to buy. Here are some of the biggest:

Prices may rise again

If looking at a gold price chart shows anything for certain, it shows that changes in the overall growth of the medal come in fits and spurts. Periods of price growth are typically followed by periods of declines and vice versa.

But with inflation rising in recent months – and with gold’s reputation as a safe-haven asset that can hedge against inflation – it only makes sense that the price of the precious metal will eventually start to head up again in the future. While attempting to time that directional change may be tricky, buying the precious metal while the price is down gives you the opportunity to take advantage of any upward movement that may be ahead.

Add gold to your portfolio now before prices have a chance to rise.

You may be able to make a quick profit

Gold isn’t known as an asset in which you can earn a quick return, but in today’s market, that may be the case. Don’t forget that in January, gold was trading at just $2,000 per ounce. And, by mid-April, the commodity’s price had climbed to around $2,400 per ounce. That’s about 20% growth in a matter of months, much of which happened since March 1 – an impressive climb for any investment asset.

Perhaps more importantly, gold’s price growth through the beginning of 2024 shows that the commodity doesn’t have to be a buy and hold style investment that you keep in a safety deposit box or precious metal depository for years to come. There’s also the possibility that the commodity’s price could climb further ahead, making it a compelling way to potentially generate a quick profit.

There are other benefits of investing in gold

There are other benefits of investing in gold that have little to do with the price growth seen thus far in 2024 – or the lull in prices seen over the past couple of days. Those benefits include:

Inflation protection: Gold has long been considered an inflation hedge, and for good reason. When inflation drives the prices of consumer goods and services up – and the value of the dollar down – gold’s price tends to rise. So, it could be used to maintain the value of your portfolio during inflationary economic conditions. That’s important in today’s economic environment as stubborn inflation continues to weigh on the value of the dollar.
Portfolio diversification: Gold’s price doesn’t always move in the same pattern that bonds or stocks do. So, mixing a reasonable amount of gold into your portfolio (up to 10% of your portfolio assets) as a diversifier could protect you from losses should one or more of your traditional portfolio assets fall in value. “If you have less than 5% – 10% of your net worth in commodities & FX (forex), you should absolutely consider adding exposure to gold and other precious metals,” says Vijay Marolia, money manager and managing partner at the wealth management firm, Regal Point Capital.

The bottom line

Gold’s price has fallen from recent highs – which may represent an opportunity to tap into growth ahead. However, gold isn’t simply a “buy while it’s low and sell while it’s a high” kind of investment opportunity. The commodity can also protect your portfolio from the stubborn inflation we’ve seen thus far in 2024 while acting as a diversification tool that could increase your risk-adjusted portfolio returns. So, consider adding gold to your portfolio today while it has the potential to grow in value.

Joshua Rodriguez

Joshua Rodriguez is a personal finance and investing writer with a passion for his craft. When he’s not working, he enjoys time with his wife, two kids, two dogs and two ducks.