Albany, NY – State Senator Julia Salazar and Assemblymember Diana Moreno are introducing the Academic Freedom Protection Act (S.10303) to protect research, classroom discussion, and extramural and intramural speech for tenured and non-tenured staff at colleges and universities in New York. 

State Senator Julia Salazar: “Too many universities and colleges have disciplined or fired their staff for exercising their first amendment rights, most recently for speaking out against the genocide in Palestine. This is a dangerous pattern of institutions silencing those they disagree with by penalizing staff who engage in legitimate discussion and speech. The Academic Freedom Protection Act will help end this pattern, protect our democracy, and ensure university and college staff can provide a diverse education to our students.” 

Assemblymember Diana Moreno: “Academic freedom is under attack. Four professors at Brooklyn College were fired or not reappointed due to their vocal opposition to the genocide in Palestine. In other states, professors are being fired for teaching about gender identity or voicing support for union activity. New York needs to set a positive example, not contribute to democratic backsliding. Staff at colleges and universities should feel safe to speak in favor of Palestinian liberation, LGBTQIA+ rights, and unionization efforts without fear of retaliation. The Academic Freedom Protection Act will define and defend academic freedom for all faculty and staff, tenured or not. We must take action to protect the right to teach and the right to learn. Without those rights, democracy does not exist.” 

Academic Freedom Protection Act: 

• Defines the meaning of academic freedom  

• Provides a means of recourse for faculty who face violations of their academic freedom through arbitration or a private right to action