Resolution to Defend Academic Freedom in Teaching and Community Engagement

FRPR, updated March 30, 2022

In light of, and in reaction to, recent state legislative proposals across the United States that target academic discussions of racism, in particular the use of Critical Race Theory, and gender and sexuality, in teaching, and

Because we perceive these proposals specifically as threats to the academic freedom of all teachers (including but not limited to tenure-track faculty, adjunct and non-tenure-track faculty, graduate student instructors, librarians, museum curators, archivists, and others who engage in educational activities), as they seek to undermine the expertise of instructors who teach and engage with KU students and members of the broader community on topics related to gender studies and racism, and

Because recent evidence suggests that legislatures in other states, such as Texas, are turning their attacks toward teaching at the university level, and retaliating against faculty opposition to these measures with threats against tenure,[1]

We resolve the following:

• to reject attempts by any bodies external to the university to restrict or dictate university curriculum or outreach programming on any matter, including matters related to Critical Race Theory, gender studies, social justice, and other topics frequently referred to as “sensitive” or “divisive” and

• to stand firm and united against encroachment on the academic freedom of teachers by the Kansas Legislature or Kansas Board of Regents and

• to show allegiance with teachers in K-12 institutions in school districts across Kansas who have been targets of harassment, threats to pull funding, book banning, and who bear the brunt of recent “Parents’ Bill of Rights” legislation.[2]

We call upon Chancellor Girod and Provost Bichelmeyer:

• to affirm in a written response to this resolution to be shared with the campus community that they reject any attempts by bodies external to the faculty to restrict or dictate university curriculum on any matter, and will stand firm against encroachment on the academic freedom, expertise, and authority of teachers by the Kansas Legislature or Kansas Board of Regents, and
• to reaffirm our adherence to the American Association of University Professors’ “1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure,”[3] which is cited in FSRR 6.1.2.