Dive Brief:
- The American Association of University Professors has written an open letter to conservative advocacy organization Turning Point USA to denounce its "Professor Watchlist," which opposes leftist rhetoric reportedly used by college instructors and professors in classrooms.
- More than 4,700 professors have called for their names to be added to the list, in support of limiting potential harassment of professors and disruption of academic culture.
- Turning Point USA officials have denounced the media coverage of the list, calling it a continuing effort of liberal agenda to marginalize conservative views.
Dive Insight:
In a growing climate of dialog about safe space, microaggressions and academic freedom, these narratives are sure to give college presidents more headaches entering the spring semester. In preparation for warmer weather and more students being in close and public proximity, leaders should be prepared to call for civility, tolerance and understanding among varying groups and views.
There will be no great conciliation or melding of ideas, just the prospect that people are more willing to hold them in instead of shouting them from social media accounts and with hateful words or images attached to them.