The House approved the bill twice but it has yet to pass in the Senate. The bill would restrict 11 student aid programs including if schools did not comply with the policy, seriously hampering students' ability to pay their tuition bills. The bill would punish students for their schools' policy decisions, unfairly placing an extra burden on them.
In the past, the state used its control over education appropriations dollars to influence University policies. The legislature attached a rider to last year's appropriations bill that threatened financial punishment for extending health benefits to same-sex partners of employees of state institutions. Michigan voters elect the University Board of Regents to run the University - using funding as a weapon to influence policy undermines voters' decisions and challenges the Unviersity's autonomy. The University must be independent from state influence in policy decisions - the state should change the proposed bill and allow schools to maintain control over their own policies.
Campus sexual assault is an important issue that colleges and universities should deal with effectively. Victims of sexual assault often face stigmatization and do not report assault incidents for fear of scrutiny. Sexual assault policies should foster an environment that allows victims to feel safe when reporting the crimes committed against them.
The University has an established sexual assault policy. However, other state colleges and universities do not. All schools must follow federal laws and report crimes, but presently there is no mechanism at the state level to mandate comprehensive policies. The proposed act would require that schools inform victims of their rights and ensure that they are free from coercion to not report sexual assault. Survivors of sexual assault should have the right to protection on all campuses - an established and enforceable policy is important for students' well-being. The state bill could help victims of sexual assault - the legislature should remove threats to the University's financial autonomy and pass the bill.
Fear of sexual assault threatens an institution's educational environment. Victims of sexual assault should not feel as though they are without support if they decide to reveal what happened to them. A state-mandated sexual assault policy could go a long way in helping provide an environment that supports victims. However, the state should not dangle appropriations dollars in front of colleges and universities to threaten them. The relationship between state institutions and the legislature should be autonomous to ensure that educational decisions are made in students' best interest.