The Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties has released the following statement through its executive council:
In light of the conduct of the 2016 presidential campaign and subsequent events, the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF) affirms the following:
- APSCUF is opposed to bigotry based on race, religion, sex, nationality, sexual orientation, or gender identity. APSCUF further believes that universities, their administrations, staff, and faculty have an affirmative obligation to speak up against and defuse bigotry on campus, in our communities, in our commonwealth, and in our nation.
- APSCUF supports the principle of safety in all learning environments, which is codified in Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and opposes any attempt to curtail the law or to reduce its enforcement.
- APSCUF is committed to the principles of freedom of speech and the press, and APSCUF acknowledges academics’ special responsibility to vigorously stand up for these principles.
- APSCUF will contest threats to academic freedom in the classroom, in the conduct of research, and for those participating in university governance.
- APSCUF will strive to promote media literacy at the university and in our communities, our commonwealth, and our nation.
- APSCUF will continue to promote an understanding of science and a respect for scientific research.
- APSCUF believes that our universities, the commonwealth, and the federal government must continue to fund academic research.
- APSCUF stands firmly behind the principle that higher education is a public good, which benefits not only individuals, but our society as a whole.
- APSCUF believes that the current generation does not deserve to be shortchanged; public higher education must remain affordable and accessible. APSCUF further believes that students and the society at large continue to deserve universities that offer a full range of curricula in the humanities, arts, and sciences; a complete college education should not be available only to the nation’s elite class.
- APSCUF believes that for-profit institutions must continue to be heavily scrutinized to make sure that they fulfill their obligations to students, maintain standards, and do not exploit individuals or scarce public resources for private gain.
- APSCUF believes that now is the time for universities and colleges to rededicate themselves to their academic missions. Additional resources, focus, and energy must be spent on higher education’s raison d’être.
- APSCUF will vehemently resist any attempts to weaken or to abolish labor unions, and APSCUF will continue to promote union representation for all who desire it.