An independent alliance of alumni, faculty, students, & staff advocating for
free expression, viewpoint diversity, and academic freedom at Cornell University
“Cornell is working to ensure that its students won’t hear a variety of viewpoints by mandating that faculty applicants pass an ideologicallitmus test to get a job …(Cornell) is becoming a place where everyone is pressured to subscribe to the same ideas.”
American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA)
"Cornell's monoculture distorts research.
The study of American poverty is directly impeded.
Only certain causes & solutions are 'acceptable' avenues of study -- others are not. Free academic inquiry is shut down."
Anonymous Professor, Cornell University
October 2021
SELF CENSORSHIP & FEAR OF EXPRESSION
Many faculty and students feel pressured to self-censor their views on controversial topics, fearing professional or social backlash. Without free speech, there are no free people.
“Under strong pressure to conform to ideological norms, 88% of Cornell students report self-censorship in class and on campus.”
Connor Murnane
Foundation For Individual Rights In Education (FIRE)
Cornell Student Survey / 2021 College Free Speech Rankings
IDEOLOGICAL HOMOGENEITY
Cornell's intellectual environment reflects a singular ideological perspective, limiting open debate. This "groupthink" stifles a healthy exchange of ideas, which is essential to academic freedom.
“Today, many Cornell faculty and students live in fear.
If they hold the wrong view, university leadership gives no support
and mob justice may be unleashed against them.”
Professor Richard A. Baer, Cornell University
October 2021
LACK OF ACADEMIC FREEDOM
Academic Freedom is the cornerstone of higher education, allowing scholars to explore, debate, and challenge ideas without fear of retaliation. At Cornell, faculty and students report increasing restrictions on this freedom, with certain topics deemed off-limits, leading to a culture that discourages dissent and critical inquiry.
WEAK UNIVERSITY POLICIES
University policy plays a crucial role in safeguarding free speech and academic inquiry; however, at Cornell, leadership fails to protect these values by promoting ideological conformity and neglecting to support those with minority viewpoints. This lack of institutional support exacerbates fears of punishment and contributes to a chilling effect on campus discourse. Additionally, hiring and admissions policies value activism over merit, resulting in an outsized importance on politics in every academic discipline.
99.5% Cornell Faculty, Academics’ Donations Given to Left-Leaning Groups
WHY WE'RE NEEDED
A University's primary mission should be academic excellence.
Not political activism.
If you are a member of the Cornell Community who wishes to preserve freedom of speech and open academic and intellectual inquiry at Cornell University, we urge you to subscribe to the CFSA Quarterly Update today by clicking on the below link. This no-cost CFSA subscription will keep you informed of ongoing matters at Cornell relating to free speech, viewpoint diversity, and academic freedom on campus. As requested, CFSA maintains strict confidentiality regarding subscriber names and contact information. Please subscribe today !
UPCOMING EVENTS & ACTION
Sat, Jun 07IthacaJoin other alumni who support advancing free speech on campus for a meetup on the Arts Quad. Bring your family!
Fri, Jan 17Zoom MeetingJoin fellow alumni to hear updates on CFSA initiatives and to volunteer for ways you can support free speech at Cornell. RSVP for the Zoom link.
SUBSCRIBE + SUPPORT
The Cornell Free Speech Alliance is a proud member of the Alumni Free Speech Alliance
WHAT WE DEFEND
The Cornell Free Speech Alliance (CFSA) is an independent, non-partisan organization of Cornell alumni and faculty dedicated to protecting free expression, viewpoint diversity, and academic freedom at Cornell University. CFSA works to address speech suppression on campus and supports individuals facing infringements on their rights, urging Cornell to adopt stronger free speech protections and political nonpartisanship.
