Koopman, Vincent spar over 'intellectual diversity' bill

[Note: John Vincent, a former teacher and MEA-MFT member, served many distinguished years in the Montana House and was once the Speaker of the House.

Vincent ran against Roger Koopman and narrowly lost last November.

Apparently Vincent's opposition to Koopman's "intellectual diversity" bill provoked Koopman to conclude with some of the inappropriate personal remarks for which he and this legislature have became sadly notorious.

According to live witnesses, the following story really does not quite capture the tension of this hearing.]

April 12, 2007 Bozeman Daily Chronicle

By WALT WILLIAMS, Chronicle Staff Writer

HELENA - A legislative debate about "intellectual diversity" in
university classrooms got personal Wednesday when Rep. Roger Koopman, R-Bozeman, said parents had expressed concerns about what his one-time political opponent John Vincent had taught during his 30 years as a public school teacher.

The remark by Koopman came after Vincent, who ran against Koopman in last year's elections, testified against a bill by the lawmaker that would set up a special committee to study whether the state's universities are indoctrinating students with political ideology.

Koopman's comments brought an angry rebuke from a Democratic lawmaker and sharp words from Vincent himself, who said he had done nothing in his three decades of teaching in Bozeman schools to warrant the accusation.

"That statement was out and out innuendo," Vincent said.

The bill by Koopman is a follow-up to a separate bill he sponsored requiring universities to report what steps they're taking to encourage "intellectual diversity" on their campuses.

That bill died on the House floor in February after numerous protests from professors, students and university officials, who said it essentially amounted to a witch hunt.

This time he is bringing a House joint resolution requesting a
legislative committee study whether universities are stifling political speech and academic freedom. It is part of a movement by some political conservatives who accuse the nation's universities of indoctrinating students with liberal ideology.

In a hearing before the House Education Committee, student lobbyists decried the bill as insulting. They viewed it as basically treating students like gullible kids who believe whatever their professors tell them.

"Students are not children that just can be easily manipulated or looked down upon," said Jessica LaRoche, student lobbyist for the Associated Students of Montana State University.

Also taking it to task was Vincent, who said it would cost the state more than $40,000 to look at a problem that may not exist.

He suggested that if lawmakers were truly concerned about the issue, they could ask graduate students to survey college students about it, which could be done for a fraction of the cost.

Koopman, in his closing remarks to the committee, mentioned that Vincent had taught school in Bozeman and was popular among students.

But he said that parents, particularly conservative parents, "were extremely concerned about what he taught in the classroom and what he didn't teach."

"Educators defend educators, and educators tend to get tunnel vision about what they're teaching," Koopman said.

After the lawmaker had finished, Vincent attempted to address the committee again to defend his teaching record.

Committee chair Rep. Rick Jore, a Constitution Party lawmaker from Ronan, wouldn't allow it, and committee member Rep. Ed Butcher, R-Winifred, yelled that Vincent had a "political vendetta" and screamed "call security."

Committee member Rep. Holly Raser, D-Missoula, chastised Koopman for making the personal attack, saying that leveling an "unsubstantiated" accusation during a hearing wasn't appropriate.

Vincent tried to comment again, at which point Koopman told him, "Sit down and be a gentleman for once."

The exchange was reminiscent of last year's election battle between the two politicians, when both traded barbs on a regular basis.

Vincent, the former speaker of the state House, lost to Koopman in one of the most closely watched races for the Legislature.

No one spoke in favor of Koopman's bill Wednesday. It is opposed by student representatives, the Commissioner of Higher Education Sheila Stearns and the union representing university employees, among others.