University of Chicago: Reject the federal government's political control

To: President Paul Alivisatos and the Board of Trustees

During a time when academic freedom is under attack, we at UChicago Alumni for Academic Freedom are coming together to oppose government efforts to impose ideological or political control over the University of Chicago.

Academic freedom has made American universities the best in the world. The federal government has no right to dictate which research projects the university can pursue or what opinions faculty, students, and staff can hold or express.

The University of Chicago itself has articulated this commitment through the Chicago Principles, which reflect an understanding that the University of Chicago’s core mission depends on protecting free inquiry, resisting external coercion, and safeguarding the ability of faculty and students to pursue truth wherever it leads. The Chicago Principles affirm the necessity of robust freedom of expression, including the right to question, challenge, and debate even the most controversial ideas. This underscores a common goal: preserving the conditions that make genuine academic freedom possible.

Government interference in what a university can research or teach will inevitably result in flawed research and teaching. The best faculty members are only going to be attracted to a university that will allow them to pursue the projects they freely choose. The best teachers will not associate with a university where some questions cannot be asked or some answers cannot be questioned.

For these reasons, and consistent with the University of Chicago’s own principles, we believe it is imperative to resist any effort by the federal government to compromise the academic integrity of American higher education.

We call on the University of Chicago to: 

1. Publicly reaffirm UChicago’s commitment to academic freedom.

2. Publicly rebuke the federal government’s attempts to withhold research funding to force the university to accept political control.

3. Reject any political interference in the admission of students to the university.

4. Reject any political control over the viewpoints of university faculty, students, or staff.

5. Reject federal pressure in decisions related to university governance or the appointment or advancement of faculty or staff.

By standing firm on these principles, the University of Chicago can remain a place where intellectual freedom is protected, disagreement is possible, and academic excellence can flourish.

Sincerely,

UChicago Alumni for Academic Freedom