The Daily Signal warns, as they review the Cornell elections, that "Higher Education Must Reform—or Else"
- Cornell Free Speech Alliance
- Jan 31
- 2 min read
A recent article in The Daily Signal by Jarrett Stepman highlights the challenges facing higher education, including the erosion of free speech and the rise of ideological conformity. At Cornell, this shift has become increasingly apparent, with administrators prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) over open debate and merit-based achievement
The article paints a troubling picture of a university culture increasingly governed by politically correct ideologies and administrative policies that prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) over academic freedom. Stepman argues that Cornell, like many of its peer institutions, has veered away from its commitment to rigorous intellectual inquiry in favor of ideological conformity. This shift has had a detrimental effect on free expression, which should be the cornerstone of any educational institution.
Stepman writes, "These institutions prioritize political correctness and ideological conformity over free speech and merit-based achievement," a statement that resonates deeply with the Cornell Free Speech Alliance (CFSA). As we have seen repeatedly, policies under the banner of DEI are often weaponized to silence those who dare to challenge the prevailing orthodoxy. At Cornell, this has been evident in recent years, as administrators have struggled to balance the protection of free speech with the growing influence of political activism on campus.
The article also highlights the importance of these trustee elections, calling them "a crucial moment" for alumni to take back control from an administration that has increasingly turned a blind eye to the concerns of its alumni and students. It’s a sentiment echoed by CFSA members, who believe that without reform, Cornell will continue to slide further into a culture where dissenting opinions are not tolerated. Stepman argues, “Cornell’s once-prestigious brand has been tarnished,” and unless significant changes are made, the university will lose its status as a beacon of free thought and academic rigor.
The CFSA wholeheartedly agrees with this assessment. The current climate at Cornell is one in which students and faculty who dare to disagree with the status quo face the risk of marginalization or worse. The administration has prioritized ideological purity over diverse viewpoints, creating an environment where true academic freedom is undermined. As Stepman states, the "toxic culture" of left-wing ideology at many colleges, including Cornell, demands urgent reform.
The CFSA supports the alumni who are stepping up to change the direction of Cornell's future by running for the university's Board of Trustees. These candidates are not afraid to challenge the administration’s growing ideological grip. As Stepman notes, "alumni are actively engaging in trustee elections to counter the university’s administration's ideological agenda." This effort is crucial, as the board has shown little inclination to protect free speech in the past.
Stepman concludes by warning that higher education’s “day of reckoning” is coming, a sentiment the CFSA supports. Universities like Cornell must decide whether they will remain institutions dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge or continue down the path of censorship and ideological conformity. It is clear that for Cornell, the time for change is now. As the CFSA advocates, we must ensure that the next generation of Cornell trustees will prioritize the protection of free speech, intellectual diversity, and the core values upon which the university was founded.
Comments