AAUP and AFT Defend Professor Peterson Amid Political Pressure Campaign

Academic Freedom Under Fire: Support for University of Michigan Professor

Amid growing political pressure and public intimidation, the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) have strongly defended Professor Derek Peterson's right to academic freedom following his remarks at the University of Michigan's commencement ceremony. The organizations have expressed concern over the escalating campaign against him, emphasizing the importance of protecting faculty speech.

Professor Peterson's comments, characterized as measured and principled, called for recognizing individuals who advance justice. These remarks align with the protected right of faculty to express themselves as scholars and citizens, whether in classrooms, public venues, or ceremonial settings. Such platforms are crucial for the university's commitment to thoughtful inquiry and engagement with contemporary issues.

The AAUP and AFT have expressed alarm over calls from political figures and government officials demanding an investigation or disciplinary action against Professor Peterson. These demands are viewed as a significant threat to academic freedom and an unwelcome intrusion of partisan politics into academia. Moreover, they could lead to self-censorship among faculty, deterring them from addressing controversial or politically sensitive topics.

In response to the university administration's public stance, which included a critique of Professor Peterson's remarks, the AAUP and AFT have voiced their concerns. Institutional leaders are urged not only to tolerate but to defend faculty speech, especially in the face of external political pressure. Disagreement with a faculty member's protected expression should not risk legitimizing calls for sanctions or amplify the chilling effect on faculty speech.

The organizations have called on the University of Michigan to affirm that Professor Peterson will not face disciplinary action for his speech, reject external attempts to influence academic expression, and uphold the principles of academic freedom and shared governance. These principles are vital to the university's mission.

As faculty speech increasingly faces political attacks, the AAUP and AFT stress the importance of universities maintaining a firm stance. They stand with Professor Peterson and all faculty members exercising their rights to speak, teach, and engage with pressing issues without fear of retaliation.

Randi Weingarten, AFT President
Todd Wolfson, AAUP President
Terrence Martin, AFT-Michigan President, AFT Vice President
Julie Boland, University of Michigan–Ann Arbor AAUP Chapter President
Daniel Birchok, University of Michigan–Flint AFT-AAUP Local 5671 President

The Scope of AFT Representation

The AFT represents 1.8 million individuals, including pre-K through 12th-grade teachers, paraprofessionals, school-related personnel, higher education faculty, professional staff, government employees, nurses, healthcare workers, and early childhood educators.

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