MESA Pre-Program Discussion: The Salaita Case and the New Assaults on Academic Freedom (22 November 2014)

MESA Panel: The Salaita Case and the New Assaults on Academic Freedom

Panel Logistics

3:30pm Saturday, 22 November 2014
Marriot Wardman Park Hotel
Washington DC

Panel Description

After a brief introduction by Laurie Brand (Chair of the Committee on Academic Freedom) and Paul Sedra, the discussion will begin with four 15-minute presentations. We will hear:

1. Steven Salaita will speak about the implications of the attack on his constitutionally-protected speech and academic freedom.
2. Lisa Hajjar will speak on the chilling effects of the new discourse of ‘civility’ adopted by university administrators on various campuses.
3. General counsel of the AAUP’s Committee A will discuss the 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure.
4. Dr. Rosemary Feal, the Executive Director of the MLA, will consider how MESA might undertake joint action with disciplinary associations in defense of academic freedom.

These presentations will be followed by a one-hour discussion among MESA members, members of the Committee of Academic Freedom, and the MESA leadership, intended primarily to consider the next steps that MESA generally and CAF specifically could take to combat politically-motivated threats to the work of MESA members.