Senate Resolution – 2122-01R
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UNIVERSITY SENATE
UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
Resolution: Defending Academic Freedom to Teach About Race and Gender
Justice and Critical Race Theory
Sponsored by: Governance Council
Date: 03/16/2022
WHEREAS state legislative proposals are being introduced across the United States that target
academic discussions of racism and related issues in American history in schools, colleges and
universities, and;
WHEREAS faculty have responsibility for “the conduct of the University’s instruction, research,
and service programs”, as stated in Article VI. Section 3 of The State University of New York
Policies of the Board of Trustees.
WHEREAS Article 1, Section 2.1 of the University at Albany Faculty Bylaws elaborates on the
principle above, specifying that “the Faculty shall be responsible for the development of the
educational program of the University and for the conduct of the University's instructional,
research, and service programs, subject to the provisions of the New York State Education Law
and The Policies of the Board of Trustees,” and;
WHEREAS the University Faculty Handbook affirms the importance of academic freedom to the
proper functioning of universities in Part 2, Section A.1. University at Albany Faculty Statement
of Ethics, wherein it states that “As teachers, faculty encourage the free pursuit of learning in
their students… They respect and defend the free inquiry of their associates… As citizens
engaged in a profession that depends upon freedom for its health and integrity, faculty have a
particular obligation to promote conditions of free inquiry and to further public understanding
of academic freedom”, and;
WHEREAS the University at Albany has made advancing diversity, equity and inclusion a key
strategic priority, and;
WHEREAS educating about systemic barriers to realizing a multiracial democracy based on race
or gender should be understood as central to the active and engaged pursuit of knowledge in
the 21st century to produce engaged and informed citizens, and;
WHEREAS over seventy organizations, including the American Association of University
Professors (AAUP) and the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AACU), issued the
Joint Statement on Legislative Efforts to Restrict Education about Racism and American History
(June 16, 2021) stating their “firm opposition to a spate of legislative proposals being
Senate Resolution – 2122-01R
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introduced across the country that target academic lessons, presentations, and discussions of
racism and related issues in American history in schools, colleges and universities . . . In higher
education, under principles of academic freedom that have been widely endorsed, professors
are entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing their subject. Educators, not politicians,
should make decisions about teaching and learning”, and;
WHEREAS in a nation that has for centuries struggled with issues of racial inequity and injustice,
many students do not have adequate knowledge of BIPOC and LGBTQI history and the policies
that contributed to inequities, the University at Albany has a responsibility and opportunity to
help build equity and social justice.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that University Senate resolutely rejects any attempts by bodies
external to the faculty to restrict or dictate university curriculum on any matter, including
matters related to racial and social justice, and will stand firm against encroachment on faculty
authority by the legislature or the Boards of Trustees, and;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University Senate stands with our K-12 colleagues
throughout the country who may be affected by this pernicious legislation, and;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University Senate affirms the Joint Statement on Efforts to
Restrict Education about Racism, authored by the AAUP, PEN America, the American Historical
Association, and the Association of American Colleges & Universities, endorsed by over seventy
organizations, and issued on June 16, 2021, and finally;
BE IT RESOLVED that the University Senate calls upon President Rodriguez and Provost Kim to
affirm that they reject any attempts by bodies external to the faculty to restrict or dictate
university curriculum on any matter, including matters related to racial and social justice, and
will stand firm against encroachment on faculty authority by the legislature or the Boards of
Trustees.
