Helping Faculty and Staff Stand Together for
Higher Ed
Organizing Can Be Difficult, But We Are Here to Help
Our higher education institutions are reckoning with some of the largest threats to academic freedom and institutional autonomy in our lifetimes. We are currently watching state and federal administrations chip away at everything from curriculum and course choices to tenure, while we attempt to continue our work as researchers and teachers. While the current environment is disheartening, we have the opportunity to organize and stand up for higher education – and you don’t have to do it alone.
Stand Together for Higher Ed was formed in an effort to help faculty and staff organize and stand up for the values of academic freedom, independent governance, and a renewed recognition that higher education exists for the common good. We recognize that every institution has unique challenges, which is why we have developed multiple options for participating in this effort. Below you will find more information on how you can be involved.
How We’re Making a Difference
While STHE is a very new organization, we have already taken impactful steps towards standing up for higher ed.
Earlier this year, STHE sent out the Founding Faculty Letter, which mobilized over 5,000 signatories and inspired new STHE teams, that now include faculty and staff from more than 175 universities, colleges, and community colleges nationwide.
STHE helped to build the Mutual Academic Defense Compact (MADC) movement and supported its adoption nationwide.
STHE is working with the AAUP on a national “Reclaim the Narrative” webinar, which is planned to take place in late October.
We hope you will join us and start a STHE team on your campus!
Starting a Stand Together for Higher Ed Team
We encourage and support the creation of STHE Teams in all types of higher ed institutions–community colleges, research universities, medical and law schools, and more. STHE Teams help you to:
Speak collectively when institutional leaders cannot.
Defend core democratic values of academic freedom, free inquiry, and institutional autonomy.
Rebuild public trust by sharing real stories of how higher education changes lives and communities, and engaging seriously with good faith external criticism.
Influence policy directly by joining coordinated faculty/staff efforts to press legislators for protections, funding, and democratic accountability in higher education.
Organize strategically with colleagues across the nation against political interference.
To help you get started, we have put together a Stand Together for Higher Ed toolkit, which covers the logistics of getting your team up and running.
What Actions Can a Local STHE Team Take?
There are many things STHE teams can do to make a difference. Some options include:
Organize faculty and staff who share the STHE values of promoting academic freedom free from political or financial interference.
Host events related to academic freedom and encourage discussion of the public value of higher education. This could look like hosting a teach-in, a faculty listening session, or even getting together to share experiences so that faculty and staff at your institution can build community and know that they are not alone.
Provide STHE resources and tools to faculty and staff.
Make your voice heard through op-eds, policy statements, and other public-facing communications.
Conduct outreach to local community partners and legislators.
Gather stories about the ways faculty and staff have benefitted from higher education, and how their participation in higher education has benefitted others.
Promote and model the importance of shared governance in institutional decision-making.
Listen to students’ thoughts and concerns about higher education.
Create Coalitions Through Mutual Academic Defense Compacts
Mutual academic defense compacts are agreements among colleges and universities to uphold core principles of higher education by standing in solidarity when these values come under attack. Faculty governance bodies, AAUP chapters, even unions can adopt compact resolutions that call on their institutions to collaborate, speak out, and offer material or moral support when peer institutions come under coordinated political attack. These compacts are not merely symbolic; they are frameworks for action, helping to ensure that no campus stands alone.
The Rutgers Model
The MADC movement started at Rutgers with the idea for building mutual defense among the Big 10 institutions.
UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst took inspiration from Rutgers, calling on the university to build MADCs with public/land grants across the country and with institutions of higher education across Massachusetts.
State University of
New York
SUNY’s resolution called for a MADC among SUNY, CUNY, and other higher education institutions across New York State.
What if it is Unsafe to Participate?
STHE absolutely understands that not all institutions will provide a supportive environment for faculty and staff organizing. We want you to participate in whatever capacity you feel most comfortable. As a brand new, grassroots organization, we have volunteer opportunities available with our national team, allowing you to put your professional skills to good use. And if volunteering is not a possibility, you can always sign up for our mailing list and stay informed. Our mailing list is private, and we will not share your information with third parties.