The purpose of education is to improve one's knowledge by discovering new ideas. Every student should be able to explore different realms of life, sexual or otherwise. Getting into that situation may or may not be by choice.

But if it is by choice, then obviously the student is trying to learn something new.

State Rep. Jack Hoogendyk, R-Kalamazoo, is planning to introduce a bill that would prohibit the state from funding classes that are deemed inappropriate for college education. The bill would mean a constitutional change, forcing all public universities in Michigan to hand over a list of detailed course descriptions to the Legislature.

Nine classes at MSU - two women's studies classes, two psychology classes, and one class each in English, anthropology, family and child ecology, history and linguistics - are under the microscope. Hoogendyk is questioning content centering on human sexuality in the classes, saying they encourage "indoctrination or initiation or putting forward an agenda."

Hoogendyk expressed his disapproval over a course at the University of Michigan titled "How to Be Gay: Male Homosexuality and Initiation," which is offered during the fall semester.

Although Hoogendyk is allowed to voice his concern over how state money is used, he is not of the capacity to determine what is essential to a student's education.

MSU has stockpiles of committees, deans, professors and other faculty to determine what classes are appropriate for this institution. If the faculty is paid to deem what's appropriate, then there is no reason for an outsider to do so.

And, unless they want to, no student is forced to pay to learn about sexuality. Students are the only ones who can debate about what's practical to their education and what's not.

Out of the 60 classes Hoogendyk is asking to be scrutinized at the 15 Michigan public universities, none are at Lake Superior State University and Western Michigan University, even though there are two sexuality-based psychology classes being taught at Western Michigan.

This university is ironically in the district Hoogendyk represents.

In 2000, when the "How to Be Gay" class debuted at U-M, the American Family Association challenged the morals of the class by petitioning the Board of Regents with 15,000 signatures.

That same year, the state's House of Representatives voted 52-44 in favor of an amendment that would cut 10 percent of U-M's budget if similar courses continued to be taught.

Luckily, for the sake of open-minded students and faculty, the bill did not pass because it did not receive a 56-vote majority, and the "How to Be Gay" class is still offered.

Hoogendyk and several others are close-minded individuals who don't want students to expand their learning.

Lawmakers should be aware that the money is being used appropriately. It is allowing MSU students to get an education exploring a wide variety of topics.

If Hoogendyk's bill passes, it will only stand in the way of students' freedom to become educated.