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Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

HF 2798

as introduced - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

KEY: stricken = removed, old language.
underscored = added, new language.
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A bill for an act
relating to higher education; requiring clear English pronunciation as a condition
of instructing certain students at public postsecondary institutions; proposing
coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 135A.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [135A.156] PRONUNCIATION OF ENGLISH.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Policy required. new text end

new text begin The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State
Colleges and Universities shall, and the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota
is requested to, adopt a clear, understandable written policy requiring clear English
pronunciation as a condition of instructing undergraduate students at public postsecondary
institutions. The policy shall be made available to students by appropriate means as
determined by each institution, which may include publication in a student handbook or
other institutional publication, or posting by electronic display on the Internet, and shall be
posted at appropriate locations on campus.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Policy to include. new text end

new text begin (a) A policy adopted under subdivision 1 must, at a
minimum, accomplish the objectives provided in paragraphs (b), (c), and (d).
new text end

new text begin (b) Before employing or assigning an individual to instruct undergraduate students,
the chair of the department in which the individual would be employed or assigned must
conduct an oral interview with the individual and document that the individual speaks
English clearly and with good pronunciation.
new text end

new text begin (c) If a student notifies in writing the chair of the department and the dean of students
of the public postsecondary institution the student is attending that the student believes that
an individual employed or assigned to instruct a class in which the student is enrolled, does
not speak English clearly and with good pronunciation the postsecondary institution, upon
request of the student, must reimburse the student for all tuition and fees paid for the class
and permit the student to withdraw from the class without financial or academic penalty.
new text end

new text begin (d) When the dean of students of any public postsecondary institution receives
notices under paragraph (c), from students equal in number to ten percent of those enrolled
in a class on the tenth academic day, the individual must be reassigned to a nonteaching
position and may not be permitted to instruct students until a hearing before a panel is held
and determines that the individual can speak English clearly and with good pronunciation.
A panel under this paragraph must include a member of the public postsecondary
institution's student governing body, selected by the president of the student governing
body, and a representative selected by the president of the public postsecondary institution.
new text end