A coalition of over 200 leaders from colleges, universities, and accrediting agencies is urging the higher education sector to defend the autonomy of governing boards against rising political pressures. They are concerned about funding tied to ideological compliance and attempts to influence core institutional decisions. Emphasizing the importance of upholding governance independence, the group references the 1819 Supreme Court decision in Dartmouth College v. Woodward, which protects institutions from external interference. The coalition advocates for a united stance to preserve academic freedom and excellence in American higher education.
"This initiative is not about partisanship, it's about principle," said Ross Mugler, board chair and acting president and CEO of the Association of Governing Boards, "Institutional autonomy is essential to academic freedom, civic leadership, and innovation and is upheld by independent board governance."
They called for leaders to reaffirm the principles of institutional autonomy laid out in the 1819 Supreme Court decision Dartmouth College v. Woodward, which established safeguards to protect colleges from ideological and political interference.
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