MSCHE Endorses AAC&U Joint Statement on Legislative Efforts to Restrict Education about Racism and American History

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) has endorsed a statement spearheaded by the Association of American Colleges & Universities (AAC&U) that opposes the “spate of legislative proposals being introduced across the country that target academic lessons, presentations, and discussions of racism and related issues in American history in schools, colleges and universities.”

The statement aligns with MSCHE Standard II – Ethics and Integrity, specifically speaking to criteria:

2. a commitment to academic freedom, intellectual freedom, freedom of expression, and respect for intellectual property rights
3. a climate that fosters respect among students, faculty, staff, and administration from a range of diverse backgrounds, ideas, and perspectives

In addition, the Commission’s policy on Political Intervention in Education promotes the interdependence of educational institutions and their academic freedom which are essential to the quality and integrity of all education.

MSCHE joined also with members of the Council of Regional Accrediting Commissions (C-RAC) who signed the letter independently along with a growing list of over 120 .

Read the statement here.