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AAUP @aaup.org · 7d

Introducing “Faculty on the Frontlines,” a new series from the Center for the Defense of Academic Freedom that documents the stories of AAUP members!

Over the next 2 weeks, we will spotlight the stories of 10 AAUP members fighting to defend academic freedom.

Check out our teaser 🔥

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AFT Connecticut @aftct.bsky.social · 2d

"We are living through a multi-decade moral panic that’s been manufactured against higher education." @aaup.org @isaackamola.bsky.social

Panelists sound alarm about state of academic freedom at Democracy Project event

At Friday’s event, four panelists discussed current threats to academic freedom.

www.browndailyherald.com

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AAUP @aaup.org · 1d

NO LOYALTY OATHS IN HIGHER ED!

Trump's attacks on our universities are an attempt to consolidate power. This loyalty oath directly undermines our right to academic freedom & goes against every democratic principle our country should uphold.

Please click below, sign, & share.

#DefendHigherEd

University Administrations: Reject Trump's "Loyalty Oath" Compacts

The Trump administration is trying to blackmail schools to let him and his unqualified bureaucrats run our schools. They want to dictate what schools teach, who they admit and hire, what researchers s...

actionnetwork.org

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AAUP @aaup.org · 11h

“If we aren't free to pursue research and teaching based on wherever the knowledge leads us, we are not truly working in the service of the public.”

— Rana Jaleel, associate professor at UC Davis & Chair of the AAUP’s Committee A on Academic Freedom & Tenure

How Academic Freedom in Universities Generates the Greatest Value for Society

Academic freedom is at the foundation of one of the most powerful and fundamental ideas about universities. Learn about how academic freedom has contributed to broad benefits in society and UC Davis f...

lettersandsciencemag.ucdavis.edu

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AAUP @aaup.org · 8d

BREAKING: WE WON!!!
💥 💥 💥

Federal Judge William G. Young ruled today in our lawsuit against the Trump administration that the policy of arresting, detaining, & deporting noncitizen students & faculty members for their pro-Palestinian advocacy violates the 1st Amendment.

Full ruling here:

Findings of Fact & Conclusions of Law – #261 in American Association of University Professors v. Rubio (D. Mass., 1:25-cv-10685) – CourtListener.com

Judge William G. Young: ORDER entered. FINDINGS OF FACT AND RULINGS OF LAW, PURSUANT TO FED. R. CIV. P. 52(A)(Sonnenberg, Elizabeth) (Additional attachment(s) added on 9/30/2025: # 1 Main Document) (J...

www.courtlistener.com

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CT State Conference-AAUP @ct-aaup.bsky.social · 5h

“The far bigger threat for free speech and free expression are these coordinated right wing attacks.” “[People] are scared to post on social media, to use particular words in their course syllabi, that they might accidentally say something in class”—Jeffrey Dudas, president @uconnaaup.bsky.social

A free speech organization looked at 5 CT colleges and universities. They all got a failing grade

“I hear a lot from students who are protesting that their rights are being violated,” said Haritha Subramanian, vice president of the undergraduate student government at UConn.

www.courant.com

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CT State Conference-AAUP @ct-aaup.bsky.social · 5h

Last week, @yaleaaup.bsky.social gathered with Brown, Columbia, and Harvard’s AAUP chapters to discuss the necessity of faculty organizing in the face of federal intervention — collectively “thinking ahead about what could be on the horizon,” Daniel HoSang, President of Yale AAUP.

Faculty group hosts panel on preparing for possible Trump intervention

On Monday afternoon, Yale’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors hosted faculty leaders from across the nation to discuss faculty organizing and negotiations with the federal g...

yaledailynews.com

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CT State Conference-AAUP @ct-aaup.bsky.social · 5h

“Faculty are very nervous…It’s been suggested that they change the titles of their courses and maybe not teach certain courses.”“That’s not freedom of speech and academic freedom.”

“We’re scared. Everyone is scared.”

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CT State Conference-AAUP @ct-aaup.bsky.social · 5h

Williams has taught history for 28 years at Central Connecticut State University. “This is unheard of — to have a government tell a historian what they can and cannot teach about the past is something that has never happened in my lifetime or I think in the country, ever.”

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CT State Conference-AAUP @ct-aaup.bsky.social · 5h

“People forget the students involved in all of this. Their educations are in jeopardy, and they want to learn the truth. They don’t want to not be sure that what they’re learning is true or not because we’re afraid to say something”—Louise Williams, President of @csuaaup.bsky.social

Free speech and academic freedom in Connecticut: ‘Everyone is scared’

In the wake of the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Connecticut professors and leaders are concerned about a broader crackdown on free speech and academic freedom.

www.courant.com

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CT State Conference-AAUP @ct-aaup.bsky.social · 6h

“If you make statements that right-wing politicians don’t like, then you can lose your job. Period. That is chilling” — Isaac Kamola of the @aaup.org Center for the Defense of Academic Freedom and Faculty First Responders, which provides peer-to-peer support for professors who have been targeted.

How Charlie Kirk’s Professor Watchlist reshaped free speech on campus

Experts say the project laid the groundwork for subsequent attempts to limit what professors and teachers say in the classroom.

www.nbcnews.com

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Joey Fishkin @fishkin.bsky.social · 5d

News coverage of the Trump administration's proposed "compact" with universities has been, so far, shockingly bad.

I hate to pick on NPR reporter Elissa Nadworny, who's usually a solid reporter, but almost every important thing I heard her say this morning about the proposed "compact" was false.

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AAUP @aaup.org · 6d

The Trump admin’s offer to give preferential treatment to institutions that toe the party line reeks of bribery in exchange for allegiance to a partisan ideological agenda.

This is corruption.

Adherence to ‘loyalty oaths’ would usher in a new era of thought policing in American higher education.

Universities Must Reject Trump Admin 'Loyalty Oath' Compacts

The AAUP and AFT warn that the Trump administration’s offer to give preferential treatment to colleges and universities that court government favor in exchange for allegiance to a partisan ideological...

www.aaup.org

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Mary Lawrence @wellonwheels.bsky.social · 6d

If ever there was a moment for solidarity among higher ed management and union leadership, now is IT. @aaup.org @wesleyanaaup.bsky.social @ct-aaup.bsky.social @ncte.org @aft.org

John Timmer @jtimmer.bsky.social · 6d

Having now read the Administration's proposed compact with universities, I have two thoughts:
This is not the sort of system set up by an administration that ever expects a different party to be in power again.
It is a "fuck you, make me" moment for universities.

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CT State Conference-AAUP @ct-aaup.bsky.social · 18d

UCHC-AAUP calls for support from the CT General Assembly

UConn Health Center is CT's only public hospital. Executive orders replacing expert peer review with political agendas threaten crucial research while cuts to NIH funding & Medicaid/Medicare jeopardize the health of the most vulnerable

Lawmakers must defend academic freedom, healthcare access, and research in CT

Recent White House executive orders and federal legislation threaten academic freedom, higher education, healthcare, and Connecticut’s economy.

ctmirror.org

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CT State Conference-AAUP @ct-aaup.bsky.social · 18d

404 Media reports on AAUP's "practical and actionable" guidance to academic workers, "Strategies to Protect Yourself Online in the Current Climate," cowritten by Isaac Kamola, Director of @aaup.org Center for the Defense of Academic Freedom

Access the guide here: www.aaup.org/sites/defaul...

Union Warns Professors About Posting In the ‘Current Climate’

Academic workers are re-thinking how they live and work online after some have been fired for criticizing Charlie Kirk following his death.

www.404media.co

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AAUP @aaup.org · 26d

The AAUP stands in full solidarity w/HBCU faculty, staff, students, admin, & alumni. We call on law enforcement & governmental authorities to treat these threats w/ the seriousness they deserve, investigate thoroughly, hold responsible parties accountable, & strengthen preventive measures on campus.

AAUP Condemns Terrorist Threats to HBCUs

The AAUP condemns unequivocally the recent and recurring bomb and terroristic threats against multiple HBCUs. Threats targeting HBCUs are attacks not only on individuals but on the legacy of resilienc...

www.aaup.org

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AAUP @aaup.org · 26d

The release of personally identifiable information that was not relevant to the government’s Title VI investigation was improper. The Trump admin is investigating how the UC responded to claims of antisemitism, not the individuals named in the complaints. The AAUP condemns this move by UC Berkeley.

UC Berkeley shares 160 names with Trump administration in ‘McCarthy era’ move

Prominent professor Judith Butler among students and faculty investigated for ‘alleged antisemitic incidents’

www.theguardian.com

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CT State Conference-AAUP @ct-aaup.bsky.social · 24d

"administrations are basically not able to defend them” -- Isaac Kamola @isaackamola.bsky.social on threats to academic freedom for faculty accused of antisemitism under Title VI

The chilling effect of Title VI investigations: the professors accused of antisemitism

Exclusive: Andrea Brower quits Gonzaga University after the Civil Rights Act is used to challenge her pro-Gaza activism

www.theguardian.com

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CT State Conference-AAUP @ct-aaup.bsky.social · 24d

“He built a career out of treating...professors and students that he disagreed with as enemies that posed an existential threat to America.” Now faculty are wondering, “Is it going to be me, and maybe instead of a video, it’s a rifle?” -- Isaac Kamola on the aftermath of Charlie Kirk killing.

Charlie Kirk Killing Feeds Fears for Higher Ed’s Future

The provocateur supercharged the right’s depiction of campuses as intolerant, leftist spaces. Then he was killed on one while exercising free speech and debating students.

www.insidehighered.com

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CT State Conference-AAUP @ct-aaup.bsky.social · 24d

"oh my gosh, we’re drowning" -- Sam Sommers @uconnaaup.bsky.social on draconian cuts at UCONN and the new $400,000 contract with external consulting firm The Segal Group.

UConn hires firm for up to $400K to review structure amid major budget concerns

The assessment is expected to continue through the beginning of the Spring 2026 semester.

www.ctinsider.com

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Veena Dubal @veenadubal.bsky.social · Sep 3

AAUP-HARVARD, AAUP, & UAW WON THE HARVARD CASE!!!!

storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

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Scholars Strategy Network @scholars.org · Sep 5

📣 Join @aft.org and @aaup.org for the virtual launch of a new campaign uniting these organizations to protect higher education from authoritarian attacks. Open to AFT and AAUP members only, who received a registration link via email.

📆 Sept 8th 5-6pm EST
www.aaup.org/event/aaupaf...

AAUP/AFT Campaign to Defend Higher Education

Join us for the virtual launch of a powerful new campaign uniting the full strength of the AFT and AAUP to protect higher education from authoritarian attacks.

www.aaup.org

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AAUP @aaup.org · Sep 5

"Trump didn't just lose one lawsuit against Harvard – he lost two. And crucially, this fact will complicate any potential “deal” the Harvard Corporation might still wish to reach with the government."

The other case was filed by the AAUP & Harvard AAUP.

Important op ed on an overlooked victory:

The Trump Lawsuit You Haven’t Heard of Is the Real Game Changer | Opinion | The Harvard Crimson

This week’s ruling is an important vindication of that core mission. And in winning our own independently enforceable judicial order, our organizations have helped protect our community’s essential ri...

www.thecrimson.com

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AAUP @aaup.org · Sep 4

Here’s a 🧵 on key points in Judge Burroughs’ order in the AAUP/Harvard AAUP’s lawsuit against Trump’s DOJ for ideological funding cuts at Harvard:

storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

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