CCPS Faculty Statement on Academic Freedom
Recent political events have created a climate of discrimination, which concerns us deeply. We, the faculty of the Copernicus Center for Polish Studies wish to assure our students, colleagues, and staff that we remain committed to the ideal of fostering an inclusive environment for all members of our community. Our educational mission has been and remains committed to creating a culture of learning where all voices are heard and respected so that we can grow together. We pledge our support for the rights of all individuals in our community, and reject any form of prejudice and censorship, and the exclusion of, or discrimination against, individuals on any basis such as race, color, national origin, ethnicity, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, height, weight, immigration, or veteran status.
We stand against any form of intolerance and violations of the basic academic freedoms of our faculty and students. As educators, we affirm our solidarity with our Muslim colleagues, students, and community members. We oppose the stigmatization of Muslims worldwide. Any such action does not reflect the beliefs at the core of our professional mission and, more importantly, violates the core values of non-discrimination and equality at the heart of the American Constitution.
We affirm our right to conduct our research and teach our students without ideological or political interference. Pursuit of the truth and dissemination of knowledge are our mandate as scholars and educators, and we reject any attempt to intimidate those whose aim is to advance human knowledge. We will honor our obligation to provide unprejudiced scholarship and education, and look to our government for continued support of that mission.