Standing Together
This page provides links and resources to help us stand together for our community. It is divided into two sections, standing together against threats to academic freedom and standing together against other threats to our community and our work.
Standing Together Against Threats to Academic Freedom
“Academic freedom is the indispensable requisite for unfettered teaching and research in institutions of higher education. As the academic community's core policy document states, "institutions of higher education are conducted for the common good and not to further the interest of either the individual teacher or the institution as a whole. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition" (1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure, which has been endorsed by more than 280 national scholarly and educational associations).
Faculty First Responders
https://facultyfirstresponders.com/
facultyfirstresponders@gmail.com
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Monitors websites most responsible for generating targeted harassment of faculty on a daily basis; reach out to faculty with resources and support
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Resources for Higher Ed workers and Administrators
Fantastic resource (and comprehensive list of best practices and resources)!
AFT Resolution
2024 Resolution Condemning Hate and Affirming Freedom of Speech on Campus
AAUP Resources
https://www.aaup.org/our-work/protecting-academic-freedom
Committee A on Academic Freedom and Tenure
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Promotes standards and due process; development of policy documents and reports;
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Staff provides assistance, including mediation
List of resources on academic freedom: https://www.aaup.org/our-programs/academic-freedom/resources-academic-freedom
Webinars: https://www.aaup.org/webinar-library
Speak Up, Speak Out: Protect the Faculty Voice. An AAUP issue campaign, with supporting material, that was undertaken to enhance academic freedom at public colleges and universities.
Manufacturing Backlash: Right-Wing Think Tanks and the Legislative Attack on Higher Education, 2021–2023. 2024. The first white paper by the Center for the Defense of Academic Freedom.
PEN America
PEN America: “Online Harassment Field Manual”
AAUP
Best Practices
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Familiarize yourself with laws, union statements and policies
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AAUP 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure: https://www.aaup.org/report/1940-statement-principles-academic-freedom-and-tenure
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Use only a personal email account for organizing, political and other work not directly connected to your job (work email subject to Freedom of Information or state public record requests)
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Lock down your digital identity: https://www.femtechnet.org/csov/lock-down-your-digital-identity/
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Two-factor authentication on everything
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Use a password manager and use unique password
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Delete old accounts; adjust privacy settings on social media
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In your syllabus, state that audio, video, or other recording of class sessions and activities is prohibited unless explicitly approved in writing (RIC Center for Disability Access has a recording agreement students sign that addresses this)
Sample Campus Response Plans
UMass Amherst’ Harassment Response and Prevention plan
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IAB9ULQGLq6_AVECadK0cVQ5VUA8Pfib/view
Sonoma State University “A “First Responder” Plan for Online Harassment of Faculty”
https://academicaffairs.sonoma.edu/sites/academicaffairs/files/ofas_faculty_first_responder_plan.pdf
Standing Together Against Other Threats
Members of our community are facing numerous threats around issues ranging from immigration status to free speech. Find some resources below; if you have others to share with us, let us know and we can add them.
AFT Featured Resources
Immigration-Related Resources
AFT members on Visas (FAQ on rights and risks): https://www.aft.org/sites/default/files/media/documents/2025/aftmembersonvisas.pdf
Standing united to protect the rights of immigrant students and their families: Toolkit: https://www.aft.org/our-community/immigration/standing-united/standing-united-protect-rights-immigrant-students-and
National Immigrant Justice Center: “Know your rights: If you encounter ICE:" https://immigrantjustice.org/know-your-rights/ice-encounter
Legislative Assaults
Project 2025 and its Potential Impact on Higher Ed
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“Challenging Divisive Concepts Legislation” Legal primer
https://www.aft.org/sites/default/files/media/documents/2025/Divisive_Concepts_Legal_Primer.pdf
Campus Free Speech
PEN America: Campus Free Speech guides and workshops:
HSIs
¿Qué pasa, HSIs? Newsletter, Blog, and Podcast
Education4All
"We provide tools, strategies, and support to help college leaders navigate anti-educational, anti-DEI challenges while centering student success."
National Academies Resource Page
Resources for researchers and scholars to prevent and respond to targeted attacks.
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