Threats to Academic Liberty: An Increasing Trend
In recent years, the operational independence of scholars and institutions in the U.S. academy has come under threat. This erosion of academic freedom is largely due to political and social polarization, as evidenced by a series of events and trends that have emerged at both federal and state levels.
One of the most concerning developments is the increasing use of political and ideological censorship. Right-wing organizations and politicians have sought to impose "gag orders" and ban the teaching of certain subjects or concepts, often related to race, diversity, and inclusion. Over 100 bills have been introduced and several passed since 2021, affecting higher education and restricting the teaching of critical race theory and other concepts. These narratives, designed to justify attacks on academic freedom, seek to displace the voice of faculty experts with those of partisan legislatures, trustees, and donors.
Another area of concern is the rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Federal agencies have rescinded mandates and support for these initiatives, challenging institutional accreditation standards tied to racial diversity and undermining efforts to recruit and retain underrepresented groups.
Economic precarity of academic jobs also poses a significant threat. Many faculty positions have become low-paying, part-time, or contingent, weakening shared governance and actual academic freedom on campus.
Legislative and policy actions tying federal funding to restrictions on campus activism or institutional stances further threaten academic freedom. For instance, the Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act targets institutions supporting Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaigns.
Historic efforts to desegregate higher education and ensure equal opportunity have also faced challenges, complicating the pursuit of academic freedom and inclusive education for marginalized communities.
Fierce debates about what should be taught at colleges and universities are part of academic freedom, but attacks on academic freedom seek to displace the voice of faculty experts. Donor influence is a growing threat, with some donors playing an active role in determining how their money is used, such as dictating speakers, books, and courses.
In some states, legislators have passed bills weakening tenure protections, giving administrators greater authority to fire tenured faculty. Partisan political operatives have mainstreamed claims that faculty regularly engage in political indoctrination and teach divisive and anti-American content.
Right-wing activists have built a political infrastructure that portrays higher education in a negative light, including bringing provocative speakers to campus and funding media outlets that rant about "liberal bias" on college campuses. The board of trustees at University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, for example, refused to offer a tenured position to Nikole Hannah-Jones, creator of the 1619 Project.
The system of tenure, originally created to protect professors from external political interference, has seen a significant decline. Fewer and fewer professors have been awarded this privilege, with 68% of faculty working off the tenure track compared to 47% in 1987.
Issues of academic freedom also arise when those without scholarly expertise become involved in academic and curricular decisions. The ousting of Harvard President Claudine Gay was a dramatic example of donor influence, with Bill Ackman playing an active role in her forced resignation.
The decline in academic freedom is disconcerting for anyone who values free and critical thinking. This erosion of academic freedom threatens the pursuit of knowledge and the dissemination of ideas, undermining the very foundation of higher education.
- The decline in academic freedom, as evidenced by the erosion of academic independence, the rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and the increasing use of political and ideological censorship, not only affects higher education but also challenges the general-news landscape, as it hinders the dissemination of unbiased knowledge and balanced perspectives.
- The threats to academic freedom, including donor influence and politically motivated attacks on education-and-self-development topics, have significant implications for the U.S. academy. These developments, such as the attempts to ban critical race theory and restrict freedom of speech, not only displace the voice of faculty experts but also undermine the very principles upon which a democratic society thrives.
