A Catalyst for Action
The spark that ignited CFSA came when longtime supporters of the university were approached for significant contributions. Before committing, these alumni sought to understand the current state of intellectual discourse at his alma mater. Conversations with faculty, administrators,  and students revealed a troubling reality: many of these Cornellians felt marginalized, silenced, and demoralized by mandatory training in one-sided “political and social activism” and a campus climate that penalized independent thought  and taught intolerance of dissenting views . Community members  reported self-censorship and campus-wide speech suppression driven by fear of social ostracization and academic penalty.

 

This is not the Cornell alumni know—a place that has long celebrated diverse ideas and spirited debate. Determined to address these concerns, a group of like-minded alumni. founded CFSA to restore and defend the principles of free speech, academic freedom, and viewpoint diversity at Cornell.

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Our Mission
CFSA is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that advocates for a campus culture where robust debate thrives and all voices are valued. We believe that open inquiry and intellectual humility are essential not only to the educational experience but also to the preservation of democratic ideals and Western civilization itself. We see academic excellence as Cornell’s primary mission – not the one-sided political activism and ideological dogma  that has become a university priority over the past decade.

 

Since its inception, CFSA has grown into a powerful movement, now representing over 250,000 Cornell alumni. As part of the national Alumni Free Speech Alliance, CFSA collaborates with similar groups across the country to support free expression and resist the encroachment of ideological orthodoxy in higher education.

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Why It Matters
Our efforts come at a pivotal moment for Cornell and universities nationwide. The increasing dominance of identity politics, the promotion of political ideology over academic achievement, and the suppression of dissenting viewpoints threaten its core mission within higher education. CFSA seeks to reverse these trends by championing a culture where individuals can think freely, challenge conventional wisdom, and engage in meaningful dialogue without fear of retribution.

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Join Us
CFSA invites alumni, students, faculty, and supporters to join us in this crucial mission. Together, we can ensure that Cornell remains a place where ideas flourish, perspectives are shared, and the pursuit of truth prevails. Subscribe, donate, and join the over 250,000 alumni already connected to CFSA.