Faculty Advisor Fails to Defend Academic Freedom
After reading this, I wrote this email to Professor Leidig:
If the story is true, your actions are deplorable and deserve the strongest
criticism from those of us who believe in academic freedom.
As a member of the history department at the University of Alabama, I too am
an advisor for a student organization. When I accepted that position, I took
on the moral obligation to defend the academic freedom of the students I
supervised. By all indications, you have failed completely in this obligation.
Free speech is under attack on campuses throughout the United States.
Usually, this attack is led by administrators. For this reason, it is
especially unfortunate that a member of the faculty has not only failed to
fight back but has joined the front ranks of this attack.
You not only owe Mr. Rausch an unqualified and public apology but you have a
obligation to immediately urge his reinstatement as head of the College
Republicans. I just read the story in the Grand Rapids Press about your apparent failure
to defend the free speech rights of the College Republicans on your campus.
If others want to do the same, Professor Leidig's address is Leidig@gvsu.edu