Campus & Community

Faculty Panel on Academic Freedom to Be Held Nov. 30

Tuesday, November 14, 2023, By News Staff

A faculty panel on academic freedom will be held Thursday, Nov. 30, from 11 a.m. to noon at 500 Hall of Languages. The event, sponsored by the Office of Academic Affairs, is open to the University community.

The discussion will address questions such as:

  • How do you define academic freedom?
  • Why is academic freedom a core value for universities?
  • What distinguishes academic freedom from free speech?
  • What are some responsibilities that apply to academic freedom?
  • How do we foster academic freedom at a time of extreme social polarization?

Lois Agnew, associate provost for academic programs, will serve as moderator.

Panelists are:

  • Kal Alston, professor, philosopher of education and former associate dean at the School of Education; and former senior associate provost for faculty affairs.
  • Matthew Huber, professor of geography and the environment at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs; and president of the Syracuse University chapter of the American Association of University Professors.
  • Thomas Keck, professor of political science, Michael O. Sawyer Chair of Constitutional Law and Politics and senior research associate with the Campbell Public Affairs Institute at the Maxwell School; and co-chair of the Senate Committee on Academic Freedom, Tenure and Professional Ethics.
  • Gretchen Ritter, vice chancellor, provost and chief academic officer.

Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) will be available. For more information, or to request additional accommodations, contact Sarah McAndrew at provost@syr.edu.