HB 6770, An Act Concerning Academic Freedom

The ACLU-CT believes in everyone’s right to free expression, and that includes speech by faculty members at public institutions of higher education on their scholarship, research, teaching, and on matters of public interest. Whether faculty express popular or unpopular ideas, in many cases, their speech is protected by the United States and Connecticut Constitutions. Under the First Amendment, the government cannot discriminate against protected speech because of the speaker’s viewpoint. In a time where many states are considering and enacting laws directly attacking academic freedom and freedom of thought, Connecticut should be a leader by requiring its public institutions of higher education to adopt a uniform policy protecting academic freedom.