Viewpoint diversity

In continuation of my recent message encouraging faculty who are facing promotion and/or tenure to exercise at least some caution about what they state publicly in today’s volatile political climate, I came across this article on how to perhaps better achieve viewpoint diversity among faculty and students.

Personally, I enjoyed great freedoms to “rock the boat” while I was a law professor at the University of South Dakota School of Law.  I also faced some pushback on some issues.  That is OK.  That is to be expected and how open and frank dialogue should take place.  But times have changed.  For now, faculty in at least some areas of the nation may for good reason fear backlash against issuing progressive or left-leaning opinions openly (perhaps even any opinion that may be seen to be political whether or not it truly is).

As a former tenured professor turned higher education attorney assisting college and university faculty with legal disputes, I regret the fact that I must caution faculty members this way.  I wish you could more freely state in writing and orally what you want.  But above all, I hope you will keep your job, get promoted, and get tenured in time.  I can help you do so.  You do not need to file a lawsuit.  Reach out in time and I will, with much experience, help you navigate your promotion and/or tenure problems.

Thanks to Ben Moreland and Unsplash for photo.