America’s universities are facing political interference
Alumni groups are uniting together in this critical moment to build a national grassroots movement that stands up for democracy and protects academic freedom
Coaches take a stand for campus freedom
Coaches for Campus Freedom is a new effort of current and former sports coaches calling out political interference in higher education, including Steve Kerr, Doc Rivers, Jim Boeheim, John Beilein, Muffet McGraw, Tommy Amaker, and more. Their open letter delivers a blunt warning: federal and state government interference is threatening the independence of universities and colleges, undermining college sports, and harming campus culture.
Higher education is at risk – and alumni communities are rising to defend it
The federal government’s announcement that it is launching a so-called “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education” is an attempt to extort multiple universities by conditioning access to billions in federal research funds, student aid, and contracts on compliance with sweeping political dictates. These demands include tuition caps, limits on international student admissions, disingenuous “neutrality” rules for faculty and staff, and restrictions on campus speech.
This political coercion endangers campus freedom and America’s leadership in the world. As lifelong stakeholders, alumni have the power – and the responsibility – to act.
A grassroots movement of alumni mobilizing across America
Stand for Campus Freedom is a nonpartisan project uniting alumni across generations, geographies, and viewpoints to protect academic freedom and stand up for democracy. Together, we are building a national movement that holds universities accountable to their highest ideals, resists political coercion, and strengthens America’s leadership.
When alumni speak up and take action, leaders listen and universities stand stronger
With the support of Stand for Campus Freedom, alumni groups representing schools across the country are mobilizing Americans to uphold the mission of higher education and reject political control by federal and state governments.
As this growing movement continues to build momentum, a powerful nationwide network of alumni, students, faculty, and allies are coming together to defend their campus communities, hold decision-makers accountable, and ensure that universities remain places where inquiry and learning can thrive.
Groups in the Stand for Campus Freedom community include:
Aggies Forward (Texas A&M University)
Alumni for Freedom and Democracy (University of Pennsylvania)
Cardinal Courage (Stanford University)
Cornell Courage (Cornell University)
Crimson Courage (Harvard University)
Dartmouth Courage (Dartmouth College)
Longhorns for Liberty (University of Texas)
Maize and Blue Courage (University of Michigan)
Mammoth Resolve (Amherst College)
MIT Alumni for Science (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
Novo Collegian Alliance (New College of Florida)
Quaker Courage (University of Pennsylvania)
Reedies Resist (Reed College)
Stand Strong Brown (Brown University)
Stand Strong Hopkins (Johns Hopkins University)
Stand with Tufts (Tufts University)
Stand Up for Yale (Yale University)
Stand Up Penn (University of Pennsylvania)
Terrier Courage (Boston University)
UChicago Alumni for Academic Freedom (University of Chicago)
UC Unbowed (University of California system)
Wahoos4UVA (University of Virginia)
Where alumni come together to defend higher education and discuss what's next
Stand for Campus Freedom has produced and collaborated on numerous thought leadership webinars on how alumni voices are crucial in defending campus freedom, in addition to our ongoing series, Campus Freedom Live.
Support your campus community now by standing strong against government coercion
Whether you’re ready to take the first simple step today or commit to leading an alumni group, there’s a way for every alum to stand up now and become a part of the movement.
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Join the movement
Get timely campaign updates and learn how alumni are standing up for campus communities across the country.
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Sign, share, or start a petition
Alumni voices carry significant weight. Make your voice count today be signing, sharing, and starting petitions and open letters to university administrators.
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Tools to help you organize
Everything you need to rally fellow alumni: guides, templates, and examples for building teams, organizing petitions, and engaging decision-makers.
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Build your alumni organizing network
Alumni groups can receive a dedicated microsite with organizing tools, campaign support, and access to a national network of alumni group leaders building power together.