UMass Amherst resolution

Faculty at UMass Amherst have passed a fantastic resolution calling for the formation of

1. A Public and Land-Grant University Mutual Academic Defense Compact—a nationwide alliance among public institutions 
2. A Massachusetts Higher Education Mutual Academic Defense Compact—a statewide coalition across public and private institutions

Be it resolved that, the University of Massachusetts Amherst Faculty Senate urges the President of the University of Massachusetts system, the Chancellor of the University, and the Rules Committee of the Faculty Senate to formally propose and help establish a Public and Land-Grant University Mutual Academic Defense Compact (PLUMADC) among all public and land grant universities that would like to participate;

Be it further resolved that, the Faculty Senate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst urges the President of the University of Massachusetts system, the Chancellor of the University, and the Rules Committee of the Faculty Senate to formally propose and help establish a Massachusetts Higher Education Mutual Academic Defense Compact (MHEMADC) among public and private colleges and universities across the Commonwealth that would like to participate;

Be it further resolved that, under these compacts, participating institutions shall commit meaningful support—financial, legal, organizational, and/or strategic—to a shared or distributed defense infrastructure designed to respond immediately and collectively to attacks by the governmental actors on any member institution;

Be it further resolved that, these compacts shall facilitate the mobilization of institutional resources—including legal counsel, governance experts, public affairs professionals, faculty governance leaders, research capacity, and media relations—to coordinate a unified and robust response, including but not limited to:

● Legal representation and, where appropriate, countersuit actions;
● Public communication strategies to counter misinformation and defend academic principles;
● Filing of amicus briefs, publication of expert testimony, and other legal interventions;
● Legislative advocacy and coordinated policy engagement at the state and federal levels;
● The development of collaborative strategies and frameworks to diversify funding streams beyond the federal government; and
● Rapid-response research and public-education initiatives;

Be it further resolved that, this resolution be transmitted to the leadership of all Public and Land-Grant Universities across the nation and all institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as well as their shared governance bodies;

Be it finally resolved that, the President of the University of Massachusetts system, the Chancellor of the University, and the Rules Committee of the Faculty Senate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst take leading roles in convening summits of faculty and administration leaders to initiate the implementation of these Compacts and affirm the collective commitment to defend academic freedom, free expression, institutional autonomy, and the public mission of higher education in the Commonwealth.

Please share the resolution

This was inspired by another resolution passed by the Rutgers Senate.

Be it resolved that, the Rutgers University Senate urges the President of Rutgers University to formally propose and help establish a Mutual Academic Defense Compact (MADC) among all members of the Big Ten Academic Alliance;

Be it further resolved that, under this compact, all participating institutions shall commit meaningful funding to a shared or distributed defense fund. This fund shall be used to provide immediate and strategic support to any member institution under direct political or legal infringement;

Be it further resolved that, participating institutions shall make available, at the request of the institution under direct political infringement, the services of their legal counsel, governance experts, and public affairs offices to coordinate a unified and vigorous response, including but not limited to: Legal representation and countersuit actions; strategic public communication; amicus briefs and expert testimony; legislative advocacy and coalition-building; related topical research as needed.

Be it finally resolved that, this resolution be transmitted to the leadership of all Big Ten universities and their respective governing boards and shared governance bodies, and that the President of Rutgers University take a leading role in convening a summit of Big Ten academic and legal leadership to initiate the implementation of this Compact.

Closer to home, Cornell University’s University Assembly has passed a resolution proudly defending the University’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and calling for its robust defense at all levels of the University. This will be posted once the final version is made available on the Office of the Assemblies site.