I just returned from the University of Wyoming, where I debated the President of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) Todd Wolfson over the need for colleges and universities to maintain institutional neutrality. The debate was organized by Steamboat Institute and was live-streamed. Given the interest in the debate and the polling results below, I am hopeful that we can prevail in this existential battle for higher education. Steamboat has now posted the debate in case you would like to hear the arguments on both sides of this issue.
The formal question presented for debate was: “Is institutional neutrality necessary to preserve the university as a forum for open inquiry rather than an actor in political disputes?”
I spoke in favor of institutional neutrality while Wolfson argued against it as a necessary component to higher education.
Wolfson was elected as AAUP president on a pledge to make that organization a “fighting organization” against what he views as the rise of fascism and the organization has been criticized for its political advocacy, including a recent controversy over the targeting of Civics Centers. During our exchange, Dr. Wolfson admitted that the AAUP has changed from being itself an ideologically neutral organization but said that they have now become a union that has dispensed with neutrality.
I enjoyed meeting Dr. Wolfson, who presented a spirited argument against institutional neutrality. I found him entirely civil, respectful, and frank in addressing these issues. I am also thankful to George Bogden, who moderated the debate in Laramie.
The viewers from around the country were polled after the debate and voted in favor of institutional neutrality 64% to 14% (with 23% undecided).
Here is the debate:
Wolfson was good when he applied boilerplate arguments. He failed when asked to think along other lines, and tried frequently tried to delimit the arguments that should be allowed. Your arguments/statements were more timely and challenging to him. The moderator was often on the mark in his questions. You devastated him on AAUP use of political positions. Wolfson sometimes confuses the difference between faculty and university positions.
Thank you SO much, Professor Turley, for participating in this important debate and posting it for your readers to enjoy. I truly believe that the failure of our universities to facilitate a robust dialogue among faculty and students is a root cause of the political movement that is gaining traction here in New York State and elsewhere. The primary results in certain Congressional districts here this week are frightening.
Glad it wasn’t just managing an oppositional temper tantrum. Congrats, Professor, and thank you.
The biggest Fascists today are the leftwing Fascists who suppress dissent, cancel opposing voices, ban books and speakers with whom they disagree, and are institutionally intolerant of opinions they dislike. It’s shameful, really. Ironically, Fascists like Wolfson will impose the most extreme form of intolerant Fascism while claiming to fight Fascism.
“The viewers from around the country were polled after the debate and voted in favor of institutional neutrality 64% to 14% (with 23% undecided).”
Not really surprising.
Too bad most colleges will simply ignore the results.
Jonathan. . . . .”Nuetrality”. . .misspelled and should be Neutrality.
The liberals worry about fascism but are the real fascists.
fascism /făsh′ĭz″əm/
noun
A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, a capitalist economy subject to stringent governmental controls, violent suppression of the opposition, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism. – The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
1. A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator:
Where do we find one party systems which are in reality dictatorships? Blue states like California.
2. A capitalist economy subject to stringent governmental controls:
Democrats regulation every aspect of industry and our lives, Big brother and the nanny state.
3. Violent suppression of the opposition:
Arresting and trying the opposition on fake charges like quid pro quo, Russian collusion, fake rape, fake fraud and fake campaign violations. Antifa and BLM are the Nazi Brown-shirts of today’s Democrats using violence all other the United States.
4. Typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism:
The Democrat’s news nationalism is LGBTQ and they are very belligerent. Rampant racism and hatred of the Jewish People.
Democrats and the LEFT are Fascists…fight a CIVIL WAR… in the USA it is their 2nd Civil War
The Democrat party needs to be Abolished! We need to decentralize Power…which is too easy to BUY
The Plan to do that
– Cut 50% of Fed gov spending
– Move 75% of DC to Heartland
– End fed aid cities, states, college, unions & non-profits
– Cut SNAP 75%
– 1% tax Gross wall street trans & money goes offshore
– 20% duty on ALL imports
– Tax all non-profits anyone gets $100k: colleges, hospitals, etc
– Remove tax credits renewables, affordable housing, etc
– Jail Trump persecutors & Dems protectors, illegal helpers, etc
– Outlaw public union, they are a political army for democrats
– Ban union/company $ politics, only voters can fund politics
– voting 1 day, in person, with ID, I don’t care if you vote, I care if you cheat
– 12 year limit on federal office….judge, president, senate, congress
– Roundup all illegals to raise wages and give Americans Jobs
– END all bonuses financial world till every dime of FED money is paid off
Better Idea
DEFUND Colleges and Non-profits
STOP giving them federal money…including student loans
Let capitalism figure out which colleges are worth saving! Most aren’t!
Also Outlaw Public unions the political army of the democrats, funded by taxpayers!
Also end union and company funding of politics.
If you aren’t able to VOTE…you can’t FUND politics!