Assigned to HIGHER ED                                                                                                                FOR COMMITTEE

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Forty-seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session

FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1331

postsecondary instruction; offensive coursework alternatives

Purpose

            Requires universities and community colleges to provide a student with alternative coursework if the student deems regular coursework to be personally offensive.

Background

            Current statute does not require public postsecondary institutions to provide students with an alternative when coursework is deemed offensive by the students. According to University of Arizona (UA) academic policies, during the first week of classes faculty distribute a hard or online version of a course information sheet or syllabus for all offered courses that includes a notification, if the instructor believes is necessary, warning students that some course content may be deemed offensive by some students. UA academic policy allows students to petition for redress or exception for substitution of coursework. According to Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University, a formal written procedure does not exist to address an alternative coursework option and students who find work to be personally offensive are addressed on a case-by-case basis. Students may withdraw from a class during the withdrawal period without detriment to their grades.         

            According to Maricopa Community College District policy, faculty are required to distribute a course syllabus on the first day of class to students that contains information about assigned coursework.  Students may transfer to a different section of the course or to a new course before the deadline for adding and dropping courses.

            There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund. Administrative expenses may be incurred by public postsecondary institutions related to policy and procedure development of substitute or alternative school coursework for students.  

Provisions

1. Requires universities under the Arizona Board of Regent’s jurisdiction and community colleges under a community college district to adopt procedures providing a student with an alternative course, coursework, learning material or activity if that student finds those offered to be personally offensive without financial or academic penalty.

2. Specifies that a course, coursework, learning material or activity is personally offensive if it conflicts with the student’s beliefs or practices in sex, morality or religion. 

3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.

Prepared by Senate Research

February 13, 2006

DN/IS/jas