In Support of AS-3193-14, Protecting the Academic Freedom of California State University Faculty

Freedom of speech is a constitutional right and the freedom of academic inquiry and debate are cornerstones of a liberal education; and

The past 40 years have borne witness to advancements in pedagogy, research and technology and such progress has broadened and challenged the methods and the contents of academic inquiry and teaching at San Francisco State University; and

The critical approaches to research, teaching and creative expression embedded in the concept of academic freedom (as outlined in the San Francisco State University’s Academic Senate Policy on Academic Freedom #F13-267) enable the San Francisco State University faculty, staff, and students to affirm that “it is the responsibility of the entire campus community to maintain, encourage, promote, and protect academic freedom, and to ensure that it is not compromised by censorship, fear of reprisal, institutional discipline, or interference from the public or government” and also to affirm the University’s Strategic Plan and its ideals of “courage, a life of the mind, equity, community, and resilience;” and

Attempts by external and internal political organizations, lobbying groups, and private donors to pressure the SFSU or CSU Administration, Board of Trustees, and the legislators to limit or question academic freedom (as spelled out in the Rationale of California State University AS-3193-14) constitute attacks on academic freedom; and

Attacks on academic freedom cripple the ideals of San Francisco State University and have a chilling effect on teaching, research, and the advancement of knowledge; and