Faculty Call on Alivisatos to Stand with Peers in Championing University Values – Chicago Maroon

Recently, many faculty members at the University of Chicago signed a letter urging the administration to publicly oppose actions by the Trump administration that threaten higher education. These actions include revoking visas and cutting research funding. The letter emphasizes the need for a united stance to protect academic freedom.

Over 250 faculty members joined a separate petition asking President Paul Alivisatos to endorse a statement from the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AACU) that opposes government overreach into higher education. This reflects a growing frustration among faculty about the University’s silence on these critical issues.

Other universities have taken action. For instance, the Rutgers University Senate recently passed a motion to form an alliance with other Big Ten universities to pool resources and stand together against government interference. More than a third of Big Ten universities are now on board with similar resolutions to affirm their commitment to academic freedom.

At Yale, faculty members are also calling for their administration to challenge what they see as unlawful demands threatening academic independence. The UChicago letter outlines six commitments, including the right to free speech and the refusal to help remove faculty based on speech content. This list is similar to points raised by Professor Clifford Ando in a recent opinion piece.

Professor Julie Orlemanski, a member of the committee handling the letter, stated that while it has been shared with all council members, discussions about it didn’t make the agenda for meetings, raising concerns about overall engagement on these issues.

Compared to its peers, UChicago has been less vocal against pressures from the Trump administration, which has instructed universities to impose controls on departments and reduce diversity initiatives. Alivisatos acknowledged the political challenges facing higher education in an email, but he was vague about specific commitments or criticisms.

In a public statement, the University reiterated its long-standing practice of refraining from collective statements. They referred to the 1967 Kalven Report, which supports individual expression but has led to criticism that it allows serious issues to go unaddressed.

Notably, Alivisatos did not join over 560 leaders in higher education who signed the AACU’s statement calling for constructive engagement—a move that many faculty members see as essential. The rallying cry from faculty is clear: “With higher education under threat, the University of Chicago cannot remain silent.”

This sentiment echoes a broader concern among many educators and students. A recent survey shows that 71% of faculty across the nation believe that government interventions could significantly harm the integrity of academic institutions. The urgency for action has never been more palpable.

As the situation evolves, universities nationwide are watching UChicago closely. How it responds could influence similar institutions and their policies regarding academic freedom and government interactions.

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