It’s no wonder that the public is losing trust in the academy since too many faculty no longer endorse unfettered discussion and debate.
The American Studies Association’s decision to endorse a boycott of Israeli academic institutions sets a dangerous precedent and amounts to the dismantling of academic freedom in favor of political posturing. The boycott paves a slippery road where academic organizations plug their ears and close their eyes toward opposing ideas. Denying Israeli academic organizations’ ability to be heard because of the perceived actions of the state is at best ludicrous, and grotesquely discriminatory.
In late November, Columbia University’s Student Council voted to put the question of whether to recommend that the university divest “from companies that profit from or engage in the State of Israel’s acts towards Palestinians” to a full vote of the undergraduate student body. It was the third time that the council considered a divestment referendum in four […]
Do colleges treat anti-Semitism differently from sexism and racism? Evan Gerstmann, professor of political science at Loyola Marymount University, phoned in to talk with ACTA President Michael Poliakoff about his two recent Forbes articles: the first dealing with President Trump’s Executive Order on Campus Anti-Semitism and the second commenting on campus anti-Semitism writ large.
On Wednesday, December 11, President Trump signed the “Executive Order on Combating Anti-Semitism,” a measure designed to counter anti-Semitism at colleges and universities eligible to receive federal funding. Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, institutions of higher education are prohibited from discriminating against students based on an individual’s race, ethnicity, or […]
Launched in 1995, we are the only organization that works with alumni, donors, trustees, and education leaders across the United States to support liberal arts education, uphold high academic standards, safeguard the free exchange of ideas on campus, and ensure that the next generation receives an intellectually rich, high-quality college education at an affordable price.
Discover MoreSign up to receive updates on the most pressing issues facing our college campuses.