An ISU professor’s speaking engagement at the University of Northern Iowa this week has prompted more than 100 faculty at the university to sign a letter against the teaching of Intelligent Design as science.

Guillermo Gonzalez, associate professor of physics and astronomy and co-author of the book “The Privileged Planet: How Our Place in the Cosmos is Designed for Discovery,” has been invited by Sigma Xi, a scientific research society, to address UNI faculty and students Wednesday about Intelligent Design.

Wendy Olson and James Demastes, both associate professors of biology at Northern Iowa, started the letter after e-mails circulated with concerns about Intelligent Design and Gonzalez’s upcoming speech.

Olsen said they wanted to make the distinction that this theory is not scientific. She said the university supports Intelligent Design, but feels it should be expressed through other academic avenues.

“It should not be presented as a science,” she said.

The petition models the one ISU faculty presented in August. More than 110 UNI faculty have signed the document, stating they “reject efforts to portray Intelligent Design as science” and agree this theory should not be taught in scientific settings.

Ken Bleile, professor of communicative disorders at Northern Iowa, said it was a poor decision for a science organization to invite Gonzalez. He said he does not believe Intelligent Design is a science, but rather religion “masked” in science.

“It’s a very bad idea,” he said of Gonzalez being invited to speak by a scientific organization.

President-elect of Sigma Xi Paul Shand said many people are seeing the debate of Intelligent Design “through the lens of the media.”

He said they wanted to give Gonzalez the opportunity to speak directly with people about the issue.

He added they are not endorsing the opinions of Gonzalez, but Sigma Xi is promoting public education.

“My fervent hope is this session will achieve [one of our goals],” said Shand, professor of physics at Northern Iowa.

John McCarroll, executive director of university relations, said the fact that Gonzalez is speaking at another university does not mean Iowa State is backing his views.

“The president reaffirmed that faculty members should be free to express opinions,” he said. “The fact he is out expressing himself is fine. We have faculty members who speak on all different topics all the time.”

Olson said many leading scientific circles have already made statements similar to Iowa State’s. The University of Iowa is expected to soon follow suit with a petition of its own.

Neither Gonzalez nor Hector Avalos, associate professor of religious studies and an opponent of Intelligent Design, were available for comment.

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