American Association of University Professors condemns ‘attacks on DEI’ and defends ‘diversity goals ’ in a new statement
Variety, equity, and inclusion remarks and hiring procedures at institutions are “compatible with academic freedom, ” the American Association of University Professors said in a statement Wednesday.
“This committee rejects the notion that the use of DEI criteria for faculty evaluation is categorically incompatible with academic freedom, ” the statement, drafted by the subcommittee of the Association ’s Committee A on Academic Freedom and Tenure, reads.
The left-leaning university union said DEI methods do not implement political or ideological test testing and condemns accusations of DEI, stating:
Problems on DEI have played an integral part in the political political playbook to move up the time on advances that have been made toward the goal of variety in the university, student body, and areas of study. However, it is crucial to consider how like attacks can simply reinforce and really fuel portrayals of complete fields and disciplines—including ethnic studies, critical race theory, and gender studies—as “political” and “ideological” projects and no serious subjects or research disciplines. When full areas and subjects related to the study of race and gender, for instance, are not considered “intellectual” pursuits, both academic freedom and La as social and institutional values are compromised, and the cost of rhetoric gains order.
The AAUP more defended DEI criteria and statements as “a important element in the efforts to recruit, rent, and retain a different university with a breadth of skills needed for excellence in teaching, research, and service. ”
“Diversity targets are closely connected to academic freedom and shared leadership, ” it added.
While faculty members have the right to disagree with university plans, the group stated, it ’s not automatically a violation of academic freedom if a university body adopts an educational plan or goal and university examinations reflect that plan.
Additionally, the association made three recommendations. First, it called for schools to involve faculty “in all stages of DEI policy development, implementation, and revision. ”
Second, schools should use DEI statement to ensure faculty have the necessary skills to help achieve diversity goals, “including the recruitment and retention of historically underrepresented students, ” it stated.
Lastly, universities are obligated to “support teaching and research on inequality, ” the association recommended.
The American Council of Trustees and Alumni called the AAUP’s statement a “giant step backward ” in a post on X.
“They [have ] sent a clear signal that they don’t represent professors who don’t conform with DEI statement mandates. Our academics deserve better, ” the ACTA wrote.
In August, more than 1,000 scholars signed a petition opposing the American Association of University Professors’ support of academic boycotts, as previously reported by The College Fix.
“We believe the AAUP’s new position is wrong-headed and dangerous, ” the petition states. “We cannot safeguard academic freedom by violating academic freedom. Normalizing academic boycotts poses a profound threat to academic freedom. ”
Also in August, the AAUP’s new president Todd Wolfson called Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance a “fascist. ”
Wolfson took issue with Vance’s claim that universities are “dedicated to ‘deceit and lies, not to the truth. ’ ”
MORE: More elite colleges look to end DEI hiring mandates
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