MADISON, Wis. — Assembly Republicans moved closer to creating tougher penalties for University of Wisconsin student protesters Tuesday, advancing a bill that would suspend or expel students who disrupt speakers.
The Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities approved the bill on an 8-6 vote. The sends the bill to the Assembly floor, which hopes to take it up in June, said Kit Beyer, a spokeswoman for Speaker Robin Vos, who is also one of the measure’s co-sponsors.
All six Democrats on the committee voted against the bill, warning it would chill free speech on campus and infringe on regents’ authority to govern their institutions themselves.
“The very bones of this legislation are diseased,” said Democratic Rep. Jimmy Anderson.
The proposal’s chief author, Rep. Jesse Kremer, said the measure is designed to safeguard democracy.
“This bill is a good balance that will ensure everyone has the right to be heard and has the right to free expression on our college campuses,” he said.
Under the bill, complaints from any two people about a UW System student’s conduct during a speech or presentation would trigger a hearing. Students found to have twice engaged in violence or disorderly conduct that disrupts another freedom of expression twice would be suspended for a semester. A third offense would mean expulsion. Complaints from any two people about the student’s conduct would trigger a hearing before a new UW Council on Free Expression. UW institutions also would be required to remain neutral on public policy controversies.
