On Oct. 21, the Clemson Faculty Senate debated and adopted a new resolution recommending that the University decline to sign a higher education list of commitments.
The Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education is a plan structured by the Trump administration, intending to give universities “preferential treatment for funding if they enact a number of policy changes,” according to Inside Higher Ed.
This agreement is divided into 10 commitments: Equality in Admissions, Marketplace of Ideas & Civil Discourse, Nondiscrimination in Faculty and Administrative Hiring, Institutional Neutrality, Student Learning, Student Equality, Financial Responsibility, Foreign Entanglements, Exceptions and Enforcement.
Tyler Harvey, a senior lecturer of bioengineering and writer of the resolution, told The Tiger that within the compact, these conditions are preferential to give the University “access to federal funding on compliance with a set of policy mandates.”
Harvey also expressed concern with the compact’s “methods of addressing those issues” outlined, along with introducing “federal oversight into areas of intellectual life that must remain independent for universities to fulfill their educational and civic missions.”
During the presentation of the resolution, Michael Sehorn, an associate professor of genetics and biochemistry, explained that he would like to consider the resolution during the meeting and later “moved to adopt the resolution,” according to the CFS meeting minutes.
Afterward, the Senate members sat through deliberations, during which multiple points were raised. One concern was that if the resolution was passed too early, the members were at risk of “losing a voice in discussions with administration.” Others noted that the CFS needed to be “proactive and make a statement so that the administration knows where the Senate stands.”
Multiple senators mentioned that higher education should “stand together against any infringement on academic freedom.”
A vote to adopt the resolution ended with the motion being passed with 55 votes in favor and six opposing.
When addressing why this resolution would be beneficial to the University’s staff and faculty, Sehorn said that the members have “dedicated their careers to advancing research and helping students develop the knowledge and skills that are essential for their future success.”
He elaborated, stating that the compact could create a “significant barrier” for faculty members to fulfill their responsibilities in accordance with Clemson’s core values. He also discussed the importance of academic freedom.
“Academic freedom is essential for faculty and staff to explore ideas and discuss controversial, innovative or socially critical topics without fear of federal interference, political pressure or funding repercussions,” Sehorn told The Tiger in an interview.
He expressed his belief that limiting academic freedom proposes a “singular viewpoint or perspective” and will discourage students from engaging in diverse topics or ideas.
The compact would “greatly weaken the very foundation of higher education and go against everything Thomas Green Clemson stood for when he founded Clemson University,” Sehorn said.
