I just wrote a letter . . .

[AverageOldGuy]

. . . to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the university from which I graduated in 1967.

Today, the American Association of Colleges and Universities released a statement opposing and warning about Trump's attacks on academic freedom that was signed by about 180 leaders of various colleges and universities.

Here's a link to the statement if you have not seen it.
https://www.aacu.org/newsroom/a-call-for-constructive-engagement

I noted the absence of any representative of my small liberal arts college in Alabama. I have just sent a letter to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees with copies to all members of the Board and to the college President. In my letter, I cited the experience of Martin Niemoller, the Lutheran pastor who initially supported some of the radical rightwing ideas in German in the 1930's but who wound up in one of Hitler's prisons. Niemoller is noted for his statement:

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

I quoted this statement in my letter and asked the Trustees to sign the AACU statement before there is no one left to speak out.

[Karadeniz]

1. Way to go!!!!

[question everything]

2. Thank you for posting. Quite impressive. I hope that more state universities will be added

[calimary]

3. Thanks for this, AverageOldGuy! Good letter!

And as scary as it sounds, I also like the part where you urged the Trustees to sign that letter - "before there is no one left to speak out."

[RainCaster]

4. Rachel says that signature count is up to 269

It may still be growing.

[LoisB]

5. Excellent.

[Frances]

6. What part of Alabama?

I grew up in Alabama, and I’m curious.

[ShazzieB]

7. First of all, thanks for sharing this.

I had not seen it before. What you have done is great!

Second, as aoon as I opened this, I immediately looked for the university my husband and I went to, where we met and married and earned 2 degrees apiece. And it's there! I think I will write to Lisa C. Freeman, President, Northern Illinois University, and tell her how much I appreciate seeing her signature here!

Thanks for your activism and thank you for sharing this!