Read our statement on Freedom of Expression at Ball State University signed by hundreds of BSU faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members from across the political spectrum. You can add your name too, using the form at the bottom of this page: bsuaaup.com/aaup-public-...

We are proud of our students for reaching across the aisle and uniting against the suppression of free expression at Ball State University. Protecting free expression is a nonpartisan issue!

“People do not forfeit their First Amendment rights when they are hired by government institutions. Public employees are free to speak on matters of public concern, so long as they are speaking as private citizens..."

Please see our official statement regarding the termination of BSU employee Suzanne Swierc. Click the following link for the full statement: bsuaaup.com/response-to-... @aaup.org

The final portion of the 1st Amendment, the right to petition the government, is often not discussed but was pivotal to begin the end of slavery in the US. In 1834, the American Anti-Slavery Society began a drive to send anti-slavery petitions to DC, generating over 130,000 petitions! 1/3

Much like the militarized response to the 1970 Kent State protesters, many student protesters faced militarized law enforcement responses to the Palestine protests. www.aaup.org/news/defense...

The freedom of assembly is enshrined in our Constitution through the First Amendment. However, law professor Gregory P. Magarian asserts that after the tragedy of Kent State in 1970, the U.S. Supreme Court has shifted its focus. 1/3

The Civil Rights Movement was integral to advancing First Amendment protections of both the freedom of the press and the freedom of assembly. Regarding freedom of the press, New York Times Co. v. Sullivan (1964) is a pivotal U.S. Supreme Court case. 1/2

While we prepare a statement in light of recent BSU decisions, we will continue highlighting our First Amendment protections. Freedom of the press is the protected right to freely publish communications and expressions of opinions through various forms of media. 1/2

The Ball State chapter of @aaup.org is preparing a statement in response to this decision by BSU leadership. We are especially troubled that leadership made this decision on Constitution Day, when we are highlighting the freedoms protected by the First Amendment. www.facebook.com/share/p/17HP...

Ball State University’s Freedom of Expression Statement asserts that the freedom of expression “is enshrined in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and Ball State University’s Bill of Rights and Responsibilities.” 1/7

What kind of speech is not protected under the First Amendment? Incitement to violence, fighting words, obscenity, defamation, true threats, forms of harassment, speech integral to criminal conduct, and sexual content of minors are all examples of speech that is not protected. 1/2

The next portion of the 1st Amendment is the freedom of speech, and an integral part of the mission of @aaup.org. What exactly is free speech, and how has that definition changed throughout history? Listen to NPR’s Throughline episode, “We the People: Free Speech” www.npr.org/2024/07/25/1...

In Sherbert v Verner (1963), the Supreme Court of the U.S. (SCOTUS) came up with a test to see if a government action infringed on one’s free exercise of religion. This test put a high value on the free exercise of religion and set a high bar for permissible government infringement. 1/5

The Free Exercise Clause says “Congress shall make no law…prohibiting the free exercise [of religion].” Determining what counts as the exercise of religion and when the government is infringing on it has been extremely complex. 1/4

Although public schools and universities, for now, aren’t allowed to engage in explicit religious training using tax dollars, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) has argued that teaching ABOUT religion is a public good. 1/6

The Establishment clause says “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.” In its most basic form, this means that the United States cannot have an official state religion–unlike England, for example. 1/6

Most think about freedom of speech when they discuss the 1st Amendment, but it starts by grappling with freedom of religion. Legal and constitutional scholars divide this into two clauses: The Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause. Sometimes there is friction between these two. 1/4

Since 1915, the AAUP has helped to promote academic freedom across higher education in the U.S. Today is Constitution Day, and we are celebrating by sharing information about the First Amendment!

The AAUP notes with great alarm the rash of recent administrative actions to discipline faculty, staff, & student speech in the aftermath of the murder of Charlie Kirk. 1/4

Ahead of the BoT meeting on 6/13, we sent them an initial report with findings from our spring survey. This one focused on compensation and its link to morale. We are more than disappointed that they chose to ignore this data and suspend raises. Read the report here: bsuaaup.com/bsu-faculty-...

We support PEN America's condemnation of the Indiana University investigation of Dr. Ben Robinson after IU chose to file an anonymous complaint about his in-class example as an SB 202 "intellectual diversity" violation pen.org/press-releas...

This excellent opinion article from the most recent issue of the @chronicle.com lays out some strategies for action. The entire issue is full of hard-hitting pieces (e.g., "Gutting DEI won't save us" and "Appeasing Trump is not the answer"). www.chronicle.com/article/the-...

What BSU could have done instead: www.aacu.org/newsroom/a-c...

The BSU AAUP Chapter strongly condemns the April 17th resolution closing the Office of Inclusive Excellence at Ball State. In our statement, we critique this decision by the Board on legal, ethical, and procedural grounds. Read the full statement here: bsuaaup.com/statement-co...

Here is the resolution continued (2/2)

We will comment soon on President Mearn’s email and the resolution of the Board of Trustees. For now, here is the handout of the resolution and some of the changes that will be made to the Freedom of Expression statement and Faculty and Professional Personnel Handbook (1/2)

Hands Off IN higher ed! We oppose SB448. inaaup.wordpress.com/wp-content/u...

Are you a Ball State Instructor, Administrator, or Professional Staff? Please take our anonymous, IRB-approved, 7-12 min. survey about the impact of SB202 implementation, your overall work experiences, legislation in Indiana and University Leadership decisions. bsu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

In the face of these assaults on education & civil rights, students & faculty nationwide are organizing in their communities. Join us. The way to confront those intent on dismantling our democracy is to join together in mass action. Full statement here: www.aaup.org/news/aaup-pr... 12/12

BSU folks! Join us at the Scramble Light today from 12-2 to bring attention to the effect of federal funding freezes/caps on BSU research. There will be donuts and coffee!

The Trump administration is at war on civil rights. Friday’s announcement intensifies their clampdown on concepts & topics related to race & identity that if implemented could effectively re-segregate higher education. We must forcefully oppose these assaults. www.insidehighered.com/news/diversi...

AAUP National has warned against anticipatory obedience, and we have unfortunately observed this at Ball State University. We call on Ball State University administration to stand up against legislative attacks on free expression. See our full statement here: docs.google.com/document/d/1...

The BSU AAUP stands in solidarity with our campus' LGBTQAI+ community and calls on our administration to do the same. Read our full statement here: docs.google.com/document/d/1...

Trump is moving to dismantle the Department of Education—a direct attack on our students, educators, and public schools. We won't let it happen. Congress must reject this extremist agenda. Go to nea.org/pushback and demand your members of Congress reject these attacks on public education.

AAUP National is strategizing a response to the Trump Administration's attacks on higher education. In the meantime, if you are affected by the federal grant funding freeze, please feel free to share the impact (while NIH is specified, share any federal grant impact): airtable.com/appMQQqeVbCY...

⚪Governor Leaves Martin University, Indiana’s Predominantly Black University Out of Budget www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...

AAUP National is strategizing a response to the Trump Administration's attacks on higher education. In the meantime, if you are affected by the federal grant funding freeze, please feel free to share the impact (while NIH is specified, share any federal grant impact): airtable.com/appMQQqeVbCY...

Hurting higher ed hurts the economy.

🚨🚨🚨 Statement from AAUP president Todd Wolfson: This week, the Trump admin hit the NIH w/ a debilitating freeze to hiring, travel, meetings, & communication. The freeze includes reviewing & approving critical biomedical research on a number of public health concerns... www.aaup.org/news/stateme... 🧵

"To put it simply, open inquiry is essential if colleges and universities are to realize the value of diversity. Diversity, in turn, can & should enliven open inquiry." "This will be a hard lesson for those who want to attack #DEI to learn." www.yahoo.com/news/opinion...

As the Trump administration & many state governments appear poised to accelerate attacks on higher education as a public good, the AAUP urges colleges & universities to resist the coming onslaught of political interference & defend the core values of higher education. 🧵 www.aaup.org/news/against...