https://www.aacu.org/newsroom/a-call-for-constructive-engagement
"As leaders of America’s colleges, universities, and scholarly societies, we
speak with one voice against the unprecedented government overreach and
political interference now endangering American higher education. We are open
to constructive reform and do not oppose legitimate government oversight.
However, we must oppose undue government intrusion in the lives of those who
learn, live, and work on our campuses. We will always seek effective and fair
financial practices, but we must reject the coercive use of public research
funding.
America’s system of higher learning is as varied as the goals and dreams of the
students it serves. It includes research universities and community colleges;
comprehensive universities and liberal arts colleges; public institutions and
private ones; freestanding and multi-site campuses. Some institutions are
designed for all students, and others are dedicated to serving particular
groups. Yet, American institutions of higher learning have in common the
essential freedom to determine, on academic grounds, whom to admit and what is
taught, how, and by whom. Our colleges and universities share a commitment to
serve as centers of open inquiry where, in their pursuit of truth, faculty,
students, and staff are free to exchange ideas and opinions across a full range
of viewpoints without fear of retribution, censorship, or deportation.
Because of these freedoms, American institutions of higher learning are
essential to American prosperity and serve as productive partners with
government in promoting the common good. Colleges and universities are engines
of opportunity and mobility, anchor institutions that contribute to economic
and cultural vitality regionally and in our local communities. They foster
creativity and innovation, provide human resources to meet the fast-changing
demands of our dynamic workforce, and are themselves major employers. They
nurture the scholarly pursuits that ensure America’s leadership in research,
and many provide healthcare and other essential services. Most fundamentally,
America’s colleges and universities prepare an educated citizenry to sustain
our democracy.
The price of abridging the defining freedoms of American higher education will
be paid by our students and our society. On behalf of our current and future
students, and all who work at and benefit from our institutions, we call for
constructive engagement that improves our institutions and serves our
republic."
Via Muse, who wrote: "Did you go to university or college? If you did, please
take a look at the attached link, and if your institute of higher education
isn’t on the list, please write to them and encourage them to participate.
THANK YOU! ♥"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
