Join us in protecting academic freedom at Boston College. It is imperative that we, as
students, take stock in our education and ensure that our right to
academic freedom is protected. "Each institution's decision about whether to show courage or cowardice helps set a pattern, strengthening or weakening academic freedom everywhere. ... And we are all diminished by Boston College's incoherent performance. ... the campus as a whole must bear the cost of assuring that invitations are not withdrawn." [emphasis added] -Cary Nelson, President, American Association of University Professors Read the entire article here. Updates  Free Speak Out Rally Wednesday, April 15 3:00pm O'Neill Plaza Student
organizers, a representative from the ACLU, faculty, and members of the
administration will be present to speak out on their views about
academic freedom at Boston College. Come hear about what they have to
say, and get the chance to speak out about what you think. Help advertise the Free Speak Out! Change your Facebook profile picture to the flyer. Join the Facebook event! ?s: academic.freedom.bc@gmail.com Do you want a speaker policy at Boston College that respects academic freedom and the right to free speech like those at Georgetown, Harvard, and Notre Dame? That does not reserve the university's right to cancel any event on campus? That establishes a free speech zone on campus? Sign the petition now! We need 1,000 more signatures by Wednesday 4/15. Cary Nelson, president of the American Association of University Professors writes about the situation at Boston College. Highlights: The most unwelcome trigger may be a donor¹s threat to withdraw a gift. No administrator likes to knuckle under to extortion. But that is not the most efficient way to get a speech canceled in any case. The new weapon of choice is the anonymous threat of violence delivered by a phone call from a public booth. Then the president or his spokesperson can cancel a speech in a voice filled with regret, ceremoniously invoking "security" concerns, as Boston College did in canceling an Ayers talk. It is the ultimate heckler's veto. We either must stand firm against these efforts to undermine the integrity of our educational institutions or agree that academic freedom no longer obtains in America. Boston College tried lamely to say the decision was purely an internal matter, but press coverage appropriately turns each of these incidents into a national test of an institution's values and commitments. Each institution's decision about whether to show courage or cowardice helps set a pattern, strengthening or weakening academic freedom everywhere. And we are all diminished by Boston College's incoherent performance. Because the consequences of these decisions are considerable, the campus as a whole must bear the cost of assuring that invitations are not withdrawn. Read the entire article at Inside Higher Ed. HOW YOU CAN HELP Joining the group will keep you updated on how this movement is progressing, and how you can help. 2) Encourage discussion among your classmates and professors. 3) Share your thoughts on academic freedom at Boston College with these administrators: Dean Karl Bell (karl.bell.1@bc.edu) 5) Join the listserv to stay updated on how you can take an active role in protecting your academic freedom at BC. 6) Read The Heights on Monday, April 6. 7) Attend the Free Speak Out on Wednesday, April 15 at 3:00 at O'Neill Plaza! Student Organizers
Rhick Bose '09 Mike Madormo '09
Melissa Roberts '09 Alexandra Saieh '09 Scott Jelinek '10 Rachel Lamorte '10 Kristoffer Munden '11Questions? Comments? Suggestions? academic.freedom.bc@gmail.com |