Last week, the South Dakota State Legislature passed an act to promote free speech and intellectual diversity at public institutions of higher education. On Wednesday March 20th, South Dakota’s governor, Kristi Noem, signed the act into law. An act of this scale concerning academic freedom and intellectual diversity is unprecedented, and sets a strong example for leadership in other states. ACTA was honored to advise the Legislature in its efforts to build a culture of intellectual diversity on the campuses of the state universities. Intellectual diversity and the free exchange of ideas are indispensable for human flourishing and are the basis for all liberal learning.
In 2005, a consortium of higher education organizations issued a statement affirming the importance of intellectual diversity. A survey by ACTA found, however, that not a single institution had taken concrete steps to further that goal. This report is designed to help boards of trustees and their institutions address the issue of intellectual diversity and […]
WASHINGTON, DC—The American Council of Trustees and Alumni today commended the University System of Georgia for surveying its students about the intellectual climate on campus and for reviewing its grievance procedures. “The University of Georgia System is taking the kind of responsible, voluntary action needed to ensure that students experience a robust exchange of ideas […]
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