AAUP Columbia University Chapter

For Columbia affiliates only--we hope to see you at our event this coming Friday in Low Rotunda.

To those faculty, students, staff, or alumni who may disagree with decisions or actions taken by the University Senate: vote or run for office. To our Trustees, in whose care the Charter entrusts our institution: seek more democracy, not less.

It is founded, in universities, on freedoms that allow the pursuit of truths and abiding principles that some may find uncomfortable or inconvenient, as well as the right to contest these in an informed manner.

In light of a recent petition challenging the University Senate’s current leadership that masks ideology as procedure, we recall the origins and purpose of this crucial body and reaffirm the importance of maintaining its autonomy.

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Only by persistently and vocally defending the academic freedom of all its faculty will Columbia remain a great university.

The University should develop a process by which claims of such retribution may be fairly adjudicated.

. . . the University cannot and will not rule any subject or form of expression out of order on the ground that it is objectionable, offensive, immoral, or untrue.”

“Academic freedom implies that all officers of instruction are entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. . . and that they may not be penalized by the University for expressions of opinion or associations in their private or civic capacity.

Both the American Association of University Professors’ governing documents and the Columbia University Statutes vigorously defend the rights of faculty to discuss their subjects freely in the classroom and to engage publicly in robust political debate. The Statutes assert:

🗞️📰 "They are manufacturing lies and weaponizing painful riffs in our community as part of an assault on higher education. Their goal is to control our campuses, and tell us what we can research, what we can teach, and what we can learn.” @ProfTWolf loom.ly/k1E9Ks4

Follow along with us in D.C. today as we stand up for first amendment rights in higher ed. 9:45 am-- Watch the House Committee on Education's hearing: youtube.com/watch?v=4bu4eG… 12:15pm-- Watch our higher ed union press conference: youtube.com/live/Fmwmq7DNr… @UAWUCLA @NorthwesternGW