CGS Joins Higher Education Community Statement on Academic Inquiry

In response to divisive concepts legislation in state legislatures across the country, CGS and 90 other higher education associations issued a statement underscoring the importance of open academic inquiry and debate on university campuses. The statement says in part, “To best serve American society, higher education institutions are committed to transparent intellectual inquiry and academic excellence, free speech, and civil discourse. It is incumbent on our governmental institutions to share and support this commitment.”

The statement expresses the higher education community’s serious concerns about legislative efforts to suppress inquiry, curb debate and discussion, and limit the topics that can be studied. While some topics may be “controversial and contentious they deserve a place in the curriculum.”

The statement makes the important point that “open academic inquiry and vigorous debate are core values of higher education, and America generally, and we must never waiver in our commitment to these vital principles.”