Whack-a-doodle

It’s a good thing I have no desire to teach at the University of Iowa.

An Iowa state legislator just proposed a bill that, if passed, will force the university to consider the political affiliation of potential faculty hires. The legislation would insure a parity among faculty where representation of one political party needed to be within ten percent of the other. In other words, if 55% of your faculty were Democrat, no fewer than 45% could be Republican. 

Of course, even someone who registers Republican can vote for a Democrat slate.  Which means that if this legislation passes and you are so desperate for a tenure-track job that you’re willing to move to Iowa, it makes sense to register as a member of the GOP. Registration is free, and can be switched the moment you’re awarded tenure. 

I’m thinking that in the future the good state of Iowa is going to get the faculty it deserves, regardless of whether this bill passes.