Academic Freedom
The section on academic freedom includes violations of teachers’ and researchers’ freedom to teach topics including Palestine, race, and gender or to research without interference from politicians and administrators. It includes documents on faculty firing and sanctions, legislation and university policy limiting academic freedom, course AI and other course audits, and other related topics.
Featured Resources
Stand Up For Science Foundation comment on Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance
|
Stand Up For Science Foundation’s comment on 2026 federal financial assistance restrictions.
|
Advocates for Trans Equality (A4TE) Issues Statement on Trump’s Executive Order Banning Trans Athletes
Statement from Advocates for Trans Equality in response to sweeping ban on trans girls and women in athletics.
Demands of University Administrators
Recommendations from National American Association of University Professors to local chapters.
Resources
Drop the Charges! Palestine Exception at UCSD E-Mail Campaign
E-mail campaign to support dropping charges against several professors who participated in Gaza solidarity encampments at UC San Diego.
Against University Complicity in Fascist Times: An Action Guide for Faculty and Staff
Jewish Voice for Peace’s 2026 Day of Actions in Higher Education guide.
Discriminating Against Dissent
AAUP and MESA study of data on the weaponization of Title VI antisemitism claims in higher education.
What the Executive Order on Accreditation Means for Your Campus
American Association of University Professors informational sheet about Executive Order on accreditation.
Demands of University Administrators
Recommendations from National American Association of University Professors to local chapters.
“Dear Colleague” Letter
On February 14, 2025 the Acting Assistant Secretary for the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, Craig Trainor, published a Dear Colleague Letter.
Trump’s Executive Order Aims to Punish Protests of Israel’s Genocide in Gaza, Promotes Anti-Palestinian Discrimination
Statement from Palestine Legal Media about Trump’s 2025 Executive Order on Antisemitism and restriction of free speech.
What Now? Preparing for the Trump Presidency and Project 2025+
Slides from a presentation at University of Illinois Chicago, presenting resources and other tools to prepare for actions related to Project 2025.
Open Letter to NYU Leadership
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Criteria for Faculty Evaluation
An October 2024 statement drafted by a subcommittee of the Association’s Committee A on Academic Freedom and Tenure.
Responding to Freedom of Information Requests at Public Universities
Guidelines for ways to minimize risks for faculty at public and private universities who might by the target of harassment in the form of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
Documenting Shifts in Campus Climate in North America
Middle East Studies Association (MESA)’s Task Force on Civil and Human Rights statement and survey meant to collect data that documents incidents of harassment, intimidation, and discrimination, as well as general changes in climate on college campuses.