CFSA's open letter in The American Spectator reiterates that "Cornell's Trustee Elections Makes a Mockery of Fairness"

As Cornell University prepares for its 2025 Trustee elections, the process is under scrutiny for undermining fairness and transparency. The Spectator article, “Cornell’s Trustee Election Makes a Mockery of Fairness,” calls out the institutionalized bias that restricts the democratic process for alumni. The Cornell Free Speech Alliance (CFSA) strongly agrees with this assessment, recognizing that the election rules and the role of the university administration in selecting candidates diminish the ability of independent, free-thinking alumni to influence the university’s future.

The article criticizes the tightly controlled election process that skews the competition in favor of candidates who align with the administration’s ideological goals. "Alumni have no say in choosing candidates except through a rigged petition system,” the article explains, highlighting how the university’s Committee on Alumni Trustee Nominations (CATN) endorses candidates while making it difficult for challengers to gain a fair shot at the board.

This process has become a barrier to meaningful change. As the article points out, “The system has turned the election into a mockery of fairness.” The CFSA echoes this sentiment, noting how the current system discourages true debate and stifles intellectual diversity. In particular, the CFSA takes issue with how candidates critical of the administration’s handling of issues like DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) and free speech are often marginalized or excluded altogether.

Furthermore, the CFSA supports the call for a more transparent and inclusive election process.

The Spectator article stresses that "Cornell’s board needs to prioritize transparency and fairness if it hopes to maintain the trust of its alumni and fulfill its responsibilities." This sentiment resonates with the CFSA, which advocates for the restoration of a robust marketplace of ideas at Cornell. It is clear that, for Cornell to regain its reputation as a leader in higher education, it must ensure that its elections reflect the values of free expression and academic freedom.

Ultimately, as the article concludes, “Alumni have a responsibility to fight for a university that upholds its founding ideals.” The CFSA urges alumni to advocate for candidates who will work to ensure that Cornell remains a place where free speech is championed, and where diverse viewpoints are respected, rather than silenced.

Source: “Cornell’s Trustee Election Makes a Mockery of Fairness,” The Spectator, February 2025. The Spectator