The Turley-Wolfson Debate on Institutional Neutrality in Higher Education

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 the 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: