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You Can Help Shape the Future of Higher Education

Join ACTA in promoting Academic Excellence, Academic Freedom, and Accountability in higher education.

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The
Latest
StatementFreedom of Expression

ACTA President Michael Poliakoff’s Statement on Columbia University’s Settlement with the Trump Administration

March 24, 2025 by Michael B. Poliakoff

Columbia has said it will undertake a major, overdue cultural change. Implementation will not […]

PROMOTING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Three New Programs to Join ACTA’s Hidden Gems Initiative

April 14, 2025

The newest Hidden Gems are the Philosophy, Politics, & Economics certificate program at Duke University, the Honors College at Regent University, and the Philosophy, Politics & Economics program at Rhodes College.

Three New Programs to Join ACTA’s Hidden Gems Initiative
See All Academic Excellence Initiatives
See All Academic Excellence Initiatives
Trustee toolkit

No U.S. History?

ACTA’s report, “No U.S. History? How College History Departments Leave the United States out of the Major,” found that 18 of the top 25 public universities did not have a wide-ranging American history requirement for students seeking a B.A. in history in the major or core curriculum.

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DEFENDING ACADEMIC FREEDOm

George Washington University Must Rethink Institutional Neutrality

April 11, 2025 by Justin Garrison

On April 11, 2025, the George Washington University (GW) Faculty Senate will vote on “A Resolution Regarding Institutional Neutrality.” The resolution reaffirms the university’s commitment to academic freedom, explains that institutional statements on political issues are not “the collective view of the GW Faculty,” and encourages the administration and board of trustees to treat “all members of the community with respect.”

George Washington University Must Rethink Institutional Neutrality
See All Academic Freedom Initiatives
See All Academic Freedom Initiatives
Trustee toolkit

ACTA Gold Standard for Freedom of Expression

ACTA now provides a blueprint to help higher education regain and live by this core principle. The ACTA Gold Standard for Freedom of Expression™ provides clear guidance for institutions to create a culture of free thought on their campuses.

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ENSURING ACCOUNTABILITY

Where Is Congress?

Inside Higher Ed  |  April 2, 2025 by Kyle Beltramini

The failure of Congress to reform the Higher Education Act since its last reauthorization in 2008 has had devastating consequences for America’s students and taxpayers. For too long, the federal response to rising costs and dismal completion rates has been to throw more money at the problem.

Where Is Congress?
See All Accountability Initiatives
See All Accountability Initiatives
Trustee toolkit

Governance for a New Era

Governance for a New Era is a blueprint for higher education governance. Signatories to the statement, a diverse group of 22 distinguished national leaders dedicated to ensuring America’s colleges and universities shed 20th century thinking and successfully meet 21st century challenges.

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IN THE
NEWS

HOW ACTA IS SUCCEEDING

370

institutions have been counseled by ACTA on matters of cost effectiveness, financial governance, and institutional spending. See ACTA’s one-of-a-kind higher education financial analysis tool: HowCollegesSpendMoney.com.

146

institutions and systems representing nearly four million students, encouraged by ACTA, reaffirmed their commitment to free speech on campus by adopting the Chicago Principles on Freedom of Expression or a policy of institutional neutrality.

256

institutions have improved their core curriculum requirements based on ACTA’s annual What Will They Learn?® initiative. Visit WhatWillTheyLearn.com

16,000+

students from 100+ Institutions have engaged in 400+ civil discourse debates, dialogues, and workshops through ACTA’s college debates program partnership with Braver Angels and Bridge USA.

1,452

news outlets in 2024 covered ACTA’s nationwide impact on academic excellence, academic freedom, and accountability in higher education.

275

million dollars in gifts to higher education have been guided through ACTA’s Fund for Academic Renewal. Visit AcademicRenewal.org.

WHO WE ARE

Launched in 1995, we are the only organization that works with alumni, donors, trustees, and education leaders across the United States to support liberal arts education, uphold high academic standards, safeguard the free exchange of ideas on campus, and ensure that the next generation receives an intellectually rich, high-quality college education at an affordable price.

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