(The Center Square) – The University of Wisconsin is telling school leaders not to pick sides in political debates after adopting a new viewpoint-neutral policy at all of its campuses.
“The Board acknowledges that “different ideas in the university community will often and quite naturally conflict,” and stipulates that, in instances of such conflict, “It is for the members of the university community, not for the institution itself, to make those judgments for themselves,” the policy states. “In accordance with RPD 4-21, and in order to uphold and protect academic freedom, freedom of expression, and an environment in which competing ideas can be freely discussed and debated by all members of the university community, it is necessary that all official statements issued in the name of and on behalf of the institution are limited to matters that directly affect the operations and mission of the university, and that maintain viewpoint neutrality in any reference to a matter of political or social controversy.”
The new policy comes after last spring’s campus protests over the war in Gaza and accusations the chancellor at UW-Milwaukee sided with protesters against Jewish students.
“This policy applies to UW System Administration and all UW universities, including all units. It also applies to any person seeking to issue public statements in the name of and on behalf of any university or unit in their official capacity as an employee, or who could be reasonably perceived as issuing a public statement in the name of and on behalf of any university or unit under their purview,” the policy adds.
A UW spokesperson says the new policy is intended to create an opportunity for more people to speak their minds and is not aimed at limiting the political speech of UW faculty, staff members or students.
UW-Madison’s chancellor said when school leaders pick a side, no matter how well intended, they can crowd out other points of view.
“When an institutional leader — whether a chancellor, a dean, or a department chair — speaks in an apparently “official” way on an issue of controversy or concern, it may, however inadvertently, discourage free expression among the plurality of voices within our university. Such position statements may chill the broad exchange of ideas that is foundational to our enterprise,” Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin wrote in a statement.
Mnookin said she has written statements that take political sides, both at UW-Madison and at past universities.
But she now says that strategy is harmful.
“For our campus to best thrive as a center of curiosity, debate, and knowledge-creation, our institutional leadership should show restraint and limit, as much as possible, taking sides in these discussions. If UW–Madison is to be a place of ‘fearless sifting and winnowing’ by its faculty, students, and staff, then the leaders of the university, as a whole and of its units, must not favor the sifters over the winnowers and vice-versa,” Mnookin added.
The new policy went into effect immediately. UW leaders say it does not need to be approved by regents first.
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