Madison Reporter

The following message from Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin was emailed to all students, faculty, and staff on Sept. 13, 2024.

Dear campus community,

I am writing today to share information about a new policy regarding the use of our institutional voice — whether (and how) we as UW–Madison take a position on issues or events that are in the national, international, state, or local spotlight. In recent years, and with increasing frequency, campus leaders across the country have elected to or have been asked to use our university platforms and positions to make public statements about or take positions on major issues, events, and controversies.

I have written such statements myself, both here at UW–Madison and previously. But I have come to believe that this practice is problematic. It risks harm to one of the most core and fundamental dimensions of a university: free and open debate. When an institutional leader — whether a chancellor, a dean, or a department chair — speaks in an apparently “official” way on an issue of controversy or concern, it may, however inadvertently, discourage free expression among the plurality of voices within our university. Such position statements may chill the broad exchange of ideas that is foundational to our enterprise.

Simply put, when the institution takes a point of view on a matter of public concern or controversy, however well intended it risks crowding out other points of view.

Therefore, for our campus to best thrive as a center of curiosity, debate and knowledge-creation our institutional leadership should show restraint and limit as much as possible taking sides in these discussions. If UW–Madison is to be a place of “fearless sifting and winnowing” by its faculty students and staff then the leaders of the university as a whole and its units must not favor the sifters over the winnowers and vice-versa.

Institutional statements especially about national or global events have often been intended to show concern for parts of our community that may be hurting or suffering in the wake of something that has occurred in the broader world. They have come from a genuine place of care and support. And yet while some may feel comforted by a given message others may feel excluded or unseen by what is said and by what is left unsaid. In this sense these messages even when intended to strengthen the sense of belonging among some members of our community run the real risk of diminishing that of others.

To be sure there will still be limited times when the university should speak as an institution. This is true when the matter at issue directly and significantly relates to our mission operation and core functions. If for example academic freedom itself were threatened the university should not stay silent; similarly in other instances when impact on our operations and community is direct concrete local some statement in institutional voice may still be warranted.

Our new policy posted today specifies when public position statements may be issued on behalf University Wisconsin-Madison its units approach clearly means I other campus leaders will making institutional statements less often only defined circumstances.

I wish clear commitment deeply held values academic freedom freedom expression unwavering; policy fact strengthen those values not diminish them respect support members community expressing views individual capacity precisely distribute such respect equally all members adopting policy

Thus while institutional leaders need show great restraint use their instructors researchers students wholly encouraged draw upon expertise knowledge engage public sphere share views both within campus externally

Many people assisted creation policy express deep thanks process many members including shared governance groups multiple focus groups faculty staff students groups department chairs deans provided numerous valuable suggestions shaped addition several hundred participated helpful discussion weeks ago benefited greatly feedback given I other leadership team also had very useful conversations colleagues campuses grappling same questions number reaching similar conclusions value significantly greater restraint statement-making

Earlier today Universities Wisconsin provided Systemwide interim Administrative Policy Institutional Statements new campus provides additional important guidance consistent grateful President Jay Rothman involving development systemwide interim policy

Understand everyone agree approach part means open discussion debate own view restraint strengthen space more dialogue including across differences respecting site pluralism diverse perspectives further vibrant flourishing intellectual community

Thank you attention commitment one another

Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin