Promoting Academic Freedom

Dear community members, 

I often think about how DU protects academic freedom, supports teaching as a calling, and serves the public good through our role as an incubator for intellectual curiosity and advancement. 

This is important—academic freedom is a bedrock principle that supports everything we do at the University. When we protect this value, it becomes possible for our community to hold dialogue across differences, recognize the humanity in others, persuade audiences through evidence and facts, and ask challenging questions through free inquiry. By championing academic freedom, we can continue to strengthen our community, ensuring that DU is a leader in the flourishing of our nation’s democracy. 

To this end, following are a few upcoming events that allow us all to be part of this important campus effort:  

April 9, 6 to 8 p.m. at the Cable Center: Former president of Columbia University and eminent scholar on free expression, Lee Bollinger, will visit campus for a conversation about the future of universities in the U.S. Register here. 

April 21, 2 to 4 p.m. at the Cable Center: David French, a New York Times columnist, and Sarah Isgur, an attorney, journalist, and podcaster, will record an "Advisory Opinions" live podcast episode exploring recent legal developments concerning the U.S. Supreme Court in front of a live audience. Register here. 

April 22, 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. in Sturm Hall 253: A panel event titled “Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression at DU: Faculty Perspectives,” will feature a number of DU scholars and experts in conversation about these principles, especially where they converge and where they are distinct. Register here. 

May 20, various times, Maglione Hall, SIE Complex: This year’s one-day Spark event will feature various panels of scholars and subject matter experts. The timely issues they plan to discuss include: how to sustain civil discourse, engage religious and ideological pluralism, cultivate inclusive viewpoints, and respond to misinformation in the age of AI. Register here. 

Diving into complex issues also happens in DU’s classrooms, which are led by faculty guidance and expertise. One exciting approach to free expression and pluralism I’d like to highlight is a coming class in the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences that will be taught by Professor Liz Sperber. She is currently designing a qualitative study to help students examine how DU students navigate political and moral disagreement. Once approved, undergraduate students will get involved, collaborate, and further develop their research skills, culminating with a presentation at the end of the spring term.  

This is a shining example of the 4D Experience we offer to our students, and I am inspired by this effort to promote civic engagement and dialogue across our campus. I thank Professor Sperber and all the other faculty and staff who are behind countless opportunities for us to engage in these vital conversations. 

Thank you all for making DU a campus with a special academic culture that embraces, promotes, and excels in academic freedom. 

Best wishes, 

Jeremy Haefner 
Chancellor