The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) released a report stating that 81 percent of academic peer organizations for college majors such as math, engineering, and languages advocate positions on contested politics. These organizations are funded by taxpayer dollars and are increasingly promoting political advocacy over their stated educational purposes. The report found that 80 out of 99 academic organizations researched have taken official positions on issues like race/affirmative action, the Israel–Hamas conflict, climate change, immigration, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with positions that align with progressive orthodoxy.
Public higher education institutions spend at least $183 million annually subsidizing membership dues and conference registrations for these organizations. The report argues that while faculty members have the right to participate in such organizations, they should not do so with public funds. The report highlighted several academic organizations, such as the American Mathematical Society, the American Society for Engineering Education, and the Modern Language Association, among others, that have taken positions on political issues.
The report estimates that public universities provide around $227 million to academic peer organizations each year, with $183 million going to partisan academic groups. This funding is based on the assumption that half of the 527,000 full-time faculty members at public higher education institutions join one of the 99 professional organizations analyzed in the report. The report also raised concerns about how political stances within these organizations can distort their academic mandate and professional norms.
Academic experts and researchers have differing views on the issue. Some believe that academic statements from these organizations are the result of thorough deliberation and discussion led by scholarly individuals, while others, like Cornell University law professor William Jacobson, argue that these organizations may not be fulfilling their educational purpose and are potentially harming education. On August 7, 2023, amidst the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel, there has been a notable shift towards pro-Palestinian positions among various scholarly groups, including those in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering, and math, which are typically seen as apolitical. According to Jacobson, this trend is becoming more prevalent as tensions escalate in the region.
Recently, the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) made a significant decision to reverse its 2006 stance against boycotts. Kelly Benjamin, representing AAUP, clarified that while they have updated their position, they do not currently have any intentions of calling for a boycott of Israeli academic institutions. The revised statement focuses on ensuring academic freedom within higher education institutions.
Benjamin emphasized that any academic boycotts should be directed towards institutions that infringe upon academic freedom, rather than targeting entire states or individual scholars. These boycotts should not hinder standard academic practices such as publishing research, giving lectures, or participating in collaborative research efforts. This new perspective was shared with The Epoch Times via email.
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