Our Purpose

Our purpose is to welcome, foster, and defend freedom of inquiry and expression. As faculty members, we rely on open debate for our ability to explore, discover, and create—as well as our aspirations for advancing the human condition. Members of the Council differ widely in many of their viewpoints, perspectives, and beliefs but find common ground in the following three principles:

• Freedom of Inquiry and Expression: We believe in academic freedom and freedom of expression in teaching, research, and its public dissemination for all members of the Columbia community.

• Intellectual Diversity: We believe that the Columbia community benefits from the inclusion of individuals—students and scholars, from Columbia and elsewhere—who hold a broad range of First Amendment-protected opinions and who feel free to express them because of an open and robust academic environment.

• Civil Discourse: We believe in and encourage earnest, courteous, respectful, collegial, and courageous discussion of ideas and disagreement, both within and beyond the classroom.

Our History

Since at least 2015, members across multiple faculties of Columbia University gathered informally to discuss their concerns regarding the state of academic freedom and freedom of expression at Columbia University. In October 2023, the group organized the Columbia Academic Freedom Council (CAFC) with an initial membership of over 70 faculty members.