Statement affirming the University's commitment to academic freedom

On 4/19/11, Mary Sue Coleman, Phil Hanlon, and Edward Rothman sent the following message:

 

Colleagues,

We are writing to affirm the University's strongest possible commitment to academic freedom in light of recent events http://chronicle.com/blogs/ticker/michigan-center-says-it-wants-to-know (if-labor-professors-misused-public-resources/31865).

Protecting students' and the faculty's right to pursue lines of inquiry and express ideas without fear of reprisal is fundamental to the University's core missions of research and education.  The pursuit of answers, however unpopular, cannot be constricted if we are to remain a place of open and vigorous debate.

The standard of academic freedom is incorporated throughout the fabric of the University.  The principles of academic freedom are ones we will always uphold and defend.

Yours truly,

 

Mary Sue Coleman
President

Phil Hanlon 
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Edward Rothman 
Chair, Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs