Sanders’ proposal to fire professors over “indoctrination” drew criticism from civil liberties and faculty groups. Todd Wolfson, president of the American Association of University Professors, called it a “grossly hypocritical false narrative.”

“Sanders is doing a disservice to Arkansas students by suggesting she will deny due process for faculty with ideas she disagrees with,” Wolfson said. “Maligning a system that is an engine of innovation and bedrock of our democracy hurts Arkansas students.”

The American Association of University Professors gets it. In a recent statement, the AAUP explained why DEI statements need not conflict with, and often fortify, academic freedom. Albeit less of a focus, the AAUP also surfaced why anti-DEI laws—including DEI statement bans—exact a double toll on academic freedom.

With power dangerously centralized, the defense of our institutions now hinges on the moral strength of a few wealthy individuals.

That’s a thin shield. Restoring a balance of power on American campuses would be more effective. As our Founders understood, power diffused in a system of checks and balances helps guarantee democracy. Centralized power, on the other hand, is always susceptible to abuse.

"They think there are too many teachers," said CSU-AAUP president Louise Williams. "We know, if you are a teacher in the system, that we are already overworked and stressed out. You need more teachers, not less teachers in order to really serve our students well."

"This is not a moment to shrink or back off. It’s a moment to grow and build power," said Todd Wolfson, AAUP president. "We in the AAUP are ready to fight for what we need — fully funded higher education, an end to student debt, and respect for every worker on every campus. This is just one moment in a long struggle. The AAUP is here to remind people that higher ed is the bedrock of democracy."

“Regardless of their intent, the UNT administration conducted a campaign of censorship of content in more than 200 courses,” said Brian Evans, president of the Texas Conference of the American Association of University Professors. “It’s censoring what topics students can discuss and think critically about. In order for students to have the freedom to learn, faculty need to have the freedom to teach.”