In responding to a House proposal that would require the University of Iowa to establish a new “School of Intellectual Freedom,” a UI lobbyist on Tuesday announced campus plans to create a new “Center for Civic Dialogue and Leadership.

Despite questions about what “identity politics” entails and concerns about limiting what college instructors can teach in their classrooms, a bill to reimagine general education requirements at public universities has passed out of an Iowa House subcommittee.

"I know that most of the teachers are socialists but i think all viewpoints should be represented," Former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad said during a hearing at

Iowa legislators introduce bill to establish School of Intellectual Freedom at UI, focusing on free inquiry and civic engagement

Former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad spoke Tuesday at a subcommittee meeting in support of legislation that would launch a “school of intellectual freedom” at the University of Iowa, countering critics who cited wastefulness and ideological drive.