Professors at Public Universities Have Sold Their Academic Freedom

Cheryl Hogue has an article entitled "Freedom of Information Versus Academic Freedom", in the November 14 issue of Chemical & Engineering News.

The article essentially covers an argument about the writings, particularly e-mails, of professors at public universities. Specifically, the American Tradition Institute (API) is requesting the University of Virginia to supply copies of Michael Mann's e-mails, which he issued when he was an employee of the university. It will be recalled that Michael Mann has been one of the leading advocates for acceptance of the theory that climate change is caused by man. The significance of his promotion is that it aids in supporting a program of global redistribution of wealth, by using a taxing approach called Cap & Trade to limit economic development of advanced countries, such as the United States.

Public university professors and associated organizations have supported the University of Virginia's refusal to supply the requested e-mails. Their main reason is that making all such information public would lead to grossly limiting communication among professors and inhibit the development of science.

However, many states including Virginia have freedom of information laws, which allow anyone to request information involving University operations which involve use of public (taxpayers) funds. Since Michael Mann was a University employee supported by public funds, there seems to be no legal basis for the University of Virginia to withhold the requested e-mails.

Many public university professors are essentially saying that in spite of state laws they should not be required to make their writing public information. They claim this as their right to academic freedom.

However, it seems clear that in accepting the benefits of public funding for their work, they have essentially sold their academic freedom. If academic freedom were of primary importance, and they wished to continue their academic work, they could have sought employment at private colleges and universities.