Q: Is it the List for Academic Freedom, or the List for Academic Freedom and Institutional Neutrality?

A: It is the List for Academic Freedom and Institutional Neutrality. But due to a character limit I had to shorten the title.

Q: What is Institutional Neutrality?

A: Institutional Neutrality means the university - but also a faculty, department, school, or any administrative unit – should not take position on social and political issues, unless those issues threaten the core activities of the university.

Q: And what are these core activities of a university?

A: To generate and disseminate knowledge. 

Q: Why do we need Institutional Neutrality?

A: A university should host critics but not be the critic itself. Debate should be left to individual scholars and students. As soon as a university takes a position it silences dissent, hinders debate, and limits academic freedom.

Q: Do we not have Institutional Neutrality?

A: I believe it is under pressure. Some students and staff seem to think that the university is a social justice organization. That we should take political or moral positions, and let these positions guide, for example, who we are allowed to collaborate with. I disagree. It is our research that should make the world a better place. But that can only be achieved if the university as an institute remains neutral.

Q: Where did you get all this from?

A: The Kalven Report, the Academic Freedom Alliance, the Heterodox Academy, and the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. See Recourses for more information.