UTK AAUP chapter urges trustees to reaffirm academic freedom and due process

Paul Gellert, a professor of sociology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and treasurer of the UTK chapter of the American Association of University Professors, told the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees that many faculty are —very nervous— about administrative support for academic freedom and free expression.

Gellert said the provost—s public remark that —the line between acceptable and unacceptable speech is moving— has increased uncertainty and self-censorship, especially among faculty without permanent positions. "Uncertainty is causing fear, particularly among my colleagues who are not in permanent positions or whose area of teaching and research is not currently popular," he said.

Gellert asked the board to reaffirm two aspects of university policy. First, he urged a recommitment to faculty freedom of extramural expression, citing the system—s Board of Trustees policy 6 and the system—s policy 10 on free speech, which he said draws on the AAUP—s 1940 Statement of Principles concerning academic freedom. "At this moment, we need the Board of Trustees to reaffirm this commitment to freedom of expression of everyone at the University of Tennessee," Gellert said.

Second, Gellert urged clarity and respect for due process. He said university policy vests authority to begin termination proceedings with the chief academic officer or provost and that, outside narrowly defined circumstances involving immediate harm, sanctions should follow established procedures. "We urge the board of trustees to clarify these rules and to support due process at the university even at difficult moments," he said.

Gellert also criticized a recently publicized federal —compact— described by the Trump administration and urged the trustees to reject any effort to impose political litmus tests or to limit academic programs because of partisan objections. "This compact is a misguided attempt at thought policing and threatens America's world leadership and UT's leadership in science, technology, innovation, and health care," he said.

President Randy Boyd responded to Gellert—s remarks, saying the University of Tennessee System is committed to following university policy and all state and federal laws while protecting First Amendment rights. "We are committed to following all the university policies, all state and federal laws, and to the protections that are guaranteed by the First Amendment," Boyd said. He added the system would review any policy areas that are causing confusion and follow up with faculty.

No formal action on the policies was taken at the meeting; Gellert spoke during the public-comment portion and the discussion was recorded by trustees as part of the meeting minutes.

Why it matters: The board sets systemwide policy and governance expectations; trustees— public reaffirmation or clarification of free-speech and due-process rules would guide campus administrators and could affect how complaints and disciplinary matters are handled going forward.