Pressure to Conform: UNC Journalism School May Implement Top-Down Woke Agenda

May 23, 2022 · · Comments Off on Pressure to Conform: UNC Journalism School May Implement Top-Down Woke Agenda

On March 11, UNC-Chapel Hill announced the appointment of a new dean for the Hussman School of Journalism and Media. Raul Reis, whose hiring was approved by the board of trustees, will officially begin his duties on July 1. Nikole Hannah-Jones and Ideological Panic at UNC An important backdrop to Reis’s appointment is the unsuccessful … Continue reading “Pressure to Conform: UNC Journalism School May Implement Top-Down Woke Agenda”

Who’s Afraid of a Little Data?

May 13, 2022 · · Comments Off on Who’s Afraid of a Little Data?

We’ve heard a lot, in recent years, about a free speech crisis on our college campuses. There are stories of speakers being shouted down and of students being afraid to voice their opinions, for fear of ostracism by their peers or retaliation from faculty and staff. Some have dismissed this talk as politically inspired rhetoric, … Continue reading “Who’s Afraid of a Little Data?”

How academia can be saved from within

Apr 17, 2022 · · Comments Off on How academia can be saved from within

To the editor: While I think Peter Bonilla is spot on in his article “The Biggest Threat to Academic Freedom?  We Don’t Teach It.”, I think a more macro view reveals how uncontained the problem is to academia and that what is threatened is all Human thought; what is threatened is Humanity. When it becomes … Continue reading “How academia can be saved from within”

The Biggest Threat to Academic Freedom? We Don’t Teach It.

Apr 6, 2022 · · Comments Off on The Biggest Threat to Academic Freedom? We Don’t Teach It.

Challenges to Academic Freedom, a new volume edited by University of Georgia professor Joseph Hermanowicz, offers a fresh slate of perspectives on some of the issues potentially clouding academic freedom’s future. It’s a worthwhile collection, and it arrives at an opportune time. While I can’t touch upon each entry in the space here, a few … Continue reading “The Biggest Threat to Academic Freedom? We Don’t Teach It.”

Diversity, Equity, and Confusion at UNC School of Medicine

Mar 23, 2022 · · Comments Off on Diversity, Equity, and Confusion at UNC School of Medicine

The UNC School of Medicine just released an “update” to its lengthy Task Force to Integrate Social Justice into the Curriculum Report. According to the school’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion web page, “the UNC School of Medicine appreciates the Task Force’s work, its feedback, and recommendations,” and this status report “includes important context relative to … Continue reading “Diversity, Equity, and Confusion at UNC School of Medicine”

“Academic freedom” used to silence

Feb 20, 2022 · · Comments Off on “Academic freedom” used to silence

To the editor: I hope that Jay Schalin comments on situations where a professor takes actions to prevent invited speakers from speaking by claiming “academic freedom” to interrupt. Joseph Visalli Schodack, NY

Placing Limits on Faculty Speech

Feb 18, 2022 · · Comments Off on Placing Limits on Faculty Speech

Editor’s note: This is part 2 of a two-part series of articles. Part 1 can be found here.  What are the boundaries of the “fitness” standard for faculty employment in regard to the extramural comments of faculty? (These are comments made about the world beyond the campus.) Some argue that there are none, that professors … Continue reading “Placing Limits on Faculty Speech”

On Academic Freedom, Public Comments, and the “Fitness” of Faculty

Feb 16, 2022 · · Comments Off on On Academic Freedom, Public Comments, and the “Fitness” of Faculty

Editor’s note: This is part 1 of a two-part series of articles. Part 2 can be found here.  Does academic freedom protect faculty members who promote such activities as genocide, pedophilia, the murder of random innocents for political purposes, and slavery? While it is of paramount importance to ensure that an open intellectual dialogue occurs … Continue reading “On Academic Freedom, Public Comments, and the “Fitness” of Faculty”

Model Legislation: End Political Litmus Tests in Education Act

Feb 8, 2022 · · Comments Off on Model Legislation: End Political Litmus Tests in Education Act

The “End Political Litmus Tests in Education Act” can help preserve academic freedom and freedom of speech and conscience at public schools, colleges, and universities. Traditionally, faculty candidates at public universities have been evaluated based on four documents: a cover letter, their curriculum vitae, research statement, and teaching statement. Now, a fifth document is being … Continue reading “Model Legislation: End Political Litmus Tests in Education Act”

The UNC Alumni Free Speech Alliance: A Conversation with a Founding Member

Jan 31, 2022 · · Comments Off on The UNC Alumni Free Speech Alliance: A Conversation with a Founding Member

Alumni have been making their voices heard over the past few months. After seeing the alarming direction that their alma maters are taking, alumni at institutions such as Davidson College, the University of Virginia, and Washington & Lee have decided to unite around the principles of free speech, academic freedom, and viewpoint diversity. These alumni … Continue reading “The UNC Alumni Free Speech Alliance: A Conversation with a Founding Member”