The Right Has Long Tried to Impose Its Vision on American Education
Real academic freedom means more than just the eventual defeat of book-burning mobs. It means more than waiting until the next election to oust irresponsible politicians. It means the… More
The Truth About the History Education Wars in 2022
Good history teaching involves both perspectives, and — most of all — it requires students to make sense of them. More
Georgetown University Report on Offensive Tweet by Law School Administrator Raises Concerns for Free Expression
Last week, Ilya Shapiro announced his resignation from Georgetown University following the conclusion of an investigation by the University’s Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity and Affirmative Action (IDEAA), which… More
Joint Statement from PEN America, AAC&U: Legislative Restrictions on Teaching and Learning Violate Academic Freedom and Threaten Higher Ed’s Autonomy
“Legislators who attack the constitutionally guaranteed freedoms of students and faculty are waging war against open inquiry itself,” said Suzanne Nossel, chief executive officer of PEN America. More
Firing of Princeton University Professor Raises Questions Over Free Expression and Due Process
Without clear indications that offensive speech forms part of a pattern of harassing conduct, the expression of controversial or even offensive views should not be the impetus for the… More
Removing Tenure and Faculty Status for Librarians at Texas A&M University Would Be “Fundamentally Misguided”
"Texas is at the epicenter of a nationwide book banning frenzy, and the state's lieutenant governor has made no secret of his political attacks on higher education. Given their… More
Decision by University of St. Thomas to Ban Speaker is “Wrongheaded,” Says PEN America
“The decision by the University of St. Thomas to ban Michael Knowles from campus is unfortunate and wrongheaded. Bans and prohibitions on speakers are toxic policies for educational institutions, even… More
Statement on Tweet by Columbia Medical Professor that Sparked an Uproar
A single, ill-conceived tweet should not be the basis for judging the ability of a professional to continue carrying out their duties with the support and confidence of their… More
PEN America Responds to Texas Lt. Gov. Statement on Tenure and Critical Race Theory For Faculty at Public Colleges
"This is a mortal threat to academic freedom that will undermine higher education in Texas," said Jeremy Young, senior manager of free expression and education at PEN America. "Patrick's… More
Through Suspensions for Offensive Speech, ABC News and Georgetown University Must Avoid Chilling Open Discourse
PEN America has issued the following statement today from CEO Suzanne Nossel in response to two separate cases of offensive remarks that made headlines and caused an outcry; one… More