Update: ASU New College Bylaws

One dissenter can still make a difference

If you’ve been following my substack, you know that my college (ASU’s New College) proposed changing our bylaws to include language about changing our curriculum to reflect decolonizing and antiracist radical agendas. I told my colleagues that such narrow language does not belong in college by-laws. This would be like requiring faculty to be Aristotelians. Bylaws should broadly protect academic freedom, not narrowly prescribe a specific philosophy. My colleagues ignored me.

I then brought the bylaws to the attention of FIRE (Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression). This was the second time in the spring semester of 2023 I had to get FIRE involved at ASU for free speech violations. FIRE agreed with me that these proposed bylaws changes were contrary to academic freedom. FIRE sent their concerns to the ASU’s Provost and General Counsel.

Just last week, FIRE contacted me to let me know that the general counsel replied and agreed that the proposed bylaws would violate the First Amendment. They said that the Provost reviews proposed bylaws changes in August of each year and would not pass these changes if they were put forward.

One dissenter on the side of law and liberty can still make a difference. But I know there is more to come, so now is not a time to rest even after a solid victory.