• We understand attacks on any university to be an attack on our values. The university is an ideal, and we will defend it everywhere.
• We will not compromise on the autonomy of academic judgment. We will not allow outside pressure to intrude upon or affect teaching, grading, research, or hiring.
• We affirm the absolute right to academic and political speech, within the bounds of civil engagement, by all members of the community. We commit to defend these rights, including the provision of assistance to members of the University community whose legal status makes them vulnerable to state authority.
• We affirm the dignity and worth of all members of the University community and understand equality of dignity to be a precondition for freedom of speech.
• We will not assist in the removal of any person from the University on the grounds that their speech causes offense. Furthermore, we will help any member who travels abroad to rejoin our community of inquiry.
• We will not bury our principles in private communication or direct messaging. The values that we endorse are worthy of speaking aloud, in the voice of the University, or we are not committed to them at all.

Source: Clifford Ando, “The Lines We Will Not Cross,” published in The Chicago Maroon, March 27, 2025; included here on the suggestion of the Editorial Subcommittee.

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