North Carolina Professor Dismissed After Secret Recording by University in His Classroom
“This case is positively Orwellian,” said Jonathan Friedman, Sy Sims director of U.S. Free Expression Programs at PEN America, “There has been no transparency whatsoever. It is particularly appalling… More
Firing of Adjunct Instructor at DePaul University Over Use of Words About Palestine Violates Academic Freedom
Kristen Shahverdian, program director for campus free speech at PEN America, said: “This is a clear cut violation of academic freedom. Adjunct faculty should enjoy the same freedoms as… More
Calls by Lawmakers to Disband LGBTQ Studies and Remove “Critical Race Theory” at Texas A & M
Jeremy C. Young, Freedom to Learn program director at PEN America, said in response: “This level of ideological meddling into the affairs of a university by politicians is frightening.… More
Firing of Catholic U Lecturer Over Guest Speaker’s Abortion Comments Called “Punitive and Drastic”
Kristen Shahverdian, senior manager in PEN America’s Free Expression and Education program, said: “Firing a faculty member because of the speech of their guest is a gross violation of… More
U of Wisconsin Should Not Punish Former Chancellor on Faculty for Private Speech
Kristen Shahverdian, senior manager of free expression and education at PEN America, said: “Professors are allowed to have private lives – and private speech. While a Board of Regents… More
PEN America: Florida Education Commissioner “Undermines Academic Freedom” With Ideologically-Motivated Ban of Sociology from General Education Curricula
“This is an alarming statement by Manny Díaz, and one that substantially undermines academic freedom and university governance in the state. While governing boards are free to modify general… More
PEN America Remains Concerned Over Academic Freedom at University of Arizona, Related to Suspension of Two Instructors, Despite Their Reinstatement
“We are relieved to see that the instructors have been reinstated, but we remain concerned that they will be unable to finish teaching their course this semester. It is… More
Cancelled Film on Israel Deprives a NY Campus of Important Conversation Amid Crisis
“The decision to cancel this film is totally antithetical to the principles of free expression and academic freedom to which Hunter College must adhere. At this moment of heightened… More
New Report: Surge of Intrusive Legislation to Intimidate Teachers, Drive Self-Censorship in Schools
“This rising tide of educational intimidation exposes the movement that cloaks itself in the language of ‘parental rights’ for what it really is: a smoke screen for efforts to… More
PEN America: Calls to Remove a Book from Princeton U Syllabus Are “Highly Misguided”
If we scrubbed college campuses of any book that could cause any offense, we would be left with a fairly barren environment for academic inquiry. More