Dear Faculty Colleagues:

This week, students in arts and sciences, business, engineering, and education and counseling psychology begin the fall quarter, joining students in the law school and the Jesuit School of Theology, who began their fall semester a few weeks ago. We look forward to all the joys that come with the University being fully back in session. At the same time, we recognize that many in our community are grappling with the factious political climate, an upcoming election, and ongoing conflicts in Gaza and around the globe. We want to offer some guidance about our collective and individual responsibilities as we demonstrate care for everyone in our community, and honor our differences. 

Last week, we emphasized the importance of freedom of expression on our campus. While there are limits to free speech, in the context of higher education those boundaries extend very far. People are free to express provocative or unpopular ideas, and in turn, those ideas may receive negative responses. How we navigate these situations as a community is important to us. This communication expands on the priorities outlined during Convocation.

We are a community of engaged individuals. That is true of many college campuses, and it is especially true on a campus like ours that is informed by our Ignatian vision of committed civic and global engagement. Active participants have opinions on the issues of the day. They have political preferences, and they are entitled to and even expected to express them. We also note that colleges and universities are populated with experts, people who can and should inform how the issues of the day are considered and resolved by our political processes.

With the freedoms we enjoy also come responsibilities. Some of those responsibilities are set by the federal government. For example, as a tax-exempt institution, the university is prohibited from directly or indirectly participating or intervening in any political campaign or election of a candidate for public office. Other responsibilities are set by us, as a community, set out in documents like the Faculty Handbook and in messages like this one. As the term begins, we offer some important reminders regarding academic freedom and freedom of expression and their impact on our community.

Academic freedom and faculty responsibilities

One of these responsibilities is that we must recognize that there are power differentials in our community – between faculty and students, between some faculty and other faculty, between faculty and staff, and yes, between university leadership and faculty, staff, and students. Some of those differentials come from authority that is necessary – to give grades or to make employment decisions on things like promotions or compensation. However, we should always be aware that with that authority comes an obligation to recognize that others may not share our views and may feel unable to disagree.

As reiterated in the Faculty Handbook (and in exceptions for JST faculty), academic freedom in the classroom and in research is essential to furthering our commitment to the common good. Faculty are entitled to freedom in the classroom discussing their subject, and that will sometimes – very appropriately – entail covering controversial topics central to class material. At the same time, faculty should exercise judgment and restraint when considering controversial topics whose connection to their courses are quite weak or indirect. When it comes to expressing their own politics in the classroom, faculty should exercise particular care as some students may not feel that they can respond, especially if they have differing opinions.  

Of course, we are all entitled to our opinions. Outside of our jobs, we are not fettered by our university responsibilities. For example, we are free, in our individual capacities, to participate as we choose to in the election process, as long as we do not speak or act in the name of the University or use University resources. We should, for example, make it clear in our social media profiles that our opinions are our own. 

Anti-discrimination policies and expressive activities

We have policies on campus to guide us in evaluating and responding to expressive activities. Faculty, staff, students may invoke these policies in reporting issues or behaviors that they perceive as problematic. Our equal opportunity processes and policies are not intended to inhibit or restrict free expression or exchange of ideas or abridge academic freedom. Neither are these policies intended to prohibit educational content or discussions inside or outside of the classroom that include germane but controversial or sensitive subject matters that are protected by academic freedom. These principles and protections are clearly articulated in our University Equal Opportunity / Title IX Policy.

On occasion, expressive activities may give rise to complaints of discrimination or of constituting a hostile environment, and we are then compelled to make difficult decisions on how to balance the right of expression of our community members with the concerns raised by complainants who also are members of our community. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights recently addressed this balance and reiterated an institution’s legal obligation to respond to those complaints. Typically, that response will include an investigation to gather facts, determine what occurred, and evaluate whether the action constitutes actionable harassment. It is important to note that the university’s academic leadership does play a role in the process, evaluating the situation from the perspective of freedom of expression and academic freedom.  Even if the expressive activities ultimately are found to be protected activity for which an individual cannot and should not be sanctioned, the University still may be responsible for taking other remedial actions, short of discipline, such as requiring further education or training. Supporting the investigation process allows the perspectives of all parties to be heard and is critical to assuring that we have a campus that is free of all kinds of discrimination.

We may have situations where members of our community disagree or have varying opinions. That is when we should lean into opportunities to engage in difficult dialogues, community conversations and restorative circles that are offered by different University units. Additionally, the University Ombuds is a confidential resource who offers communication coaching, a place to discuss position and power dynamics, and support for conflict resolution.

We have a purposefully diverse community in which we actively seek to promote inclusion and belonging. While that is a core value of the institution, it does not mean that we will always be in perfect harmony. However, as President Sullivan reminds us, this campus is our home where we care for one another and prioritize compassion and respect even across differences. In the university’s leadership, we will do the best we can to safeguard academic freedom and a discrimination-free environment, and we will ask you for tolerance and grace, with each other and with us. We pledge to offer that same tolerance and grace back to you. 

We wish you a successful start to the academic year,

James M. Glaser
Provost and Executive Vice President
Professor of Political Science

Ed Grier
Dean, Leavey School of Business
University Professor

Michael J. Kaufman
Dean, School of Law
Professor of Law

Chris Kitts
Interim Dean, School of Engineering
William and Janice Terry Professor

Agbonkhianmeghe E. Orobator, S.J.
Dean, Jesuit School of Theology
Professor of Theology

Daniel Press
Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
Professor of Environmental Studies and Sciences

Sabrina Zirkel
Dean, School of Education and Counseling Psychology
Professor of Education