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66 Tex. L. Rev. 1247 (1987-1988)
Foreword: Academic Freedom in a Changing Society

handle is hein.journals/tlr66 and id is 1281 raw text is: Texas Law Review
Volume 66,      Number 7,      June 1988
Foreword: Academic Freedom
in a Changing Society
Julius G. Getman*
and Jacqueline W. Mintz**
I. Introduction
For those of us committed to the protection and expansion of aca-
demic freedom, these are confusing times. They are also exciting, hope-
ful, challenging, and sometimes inspiring. This Symposium on
Academic Freedom' suggests that our odd mix of moods is more a re-
sponse to reality than a sign of institutional neurosis. The uncertain sta-
tus of academic freedom reflects its relation to deeper issues that
continue to agitate our society.
The most positive development is that we have made considerable
progress in establishing institutional protections and in educating various
elements of society about the importance of the core of academic free-
dom-the right of faculty members to seek, teach, and write the truth as
they see it. Not that the battle is over. Academics are still under attack
for their political views.2 Universities continue to deny them appoint-
ment or promotion because of their writings,3 political associations,4 or
* Associate Dean and Earl E. Sheffield Regents Chair in Law, The University of Texas
School of Law. B.A. 1953, City College of New York; LL.B. 1958, LL.M. 1963, Harvard. Professor
Getman was president of the American Association of University Professors when this Symposium
was conducted.
** Assistant Maryland Attorney General. Ms. Mint;. was associate counsel for the American
Association of University Professors when this Symposium was conducted.
1. The Symposium at which the great majority of these essays were presented was held Octo-
ber 16 and 17, 1987, at The University of Texas School of Law. Sponsored by the American Associ-
ation of University Professors (AAUP), The University of Texas School of Law, and the Texas Law
Review, the Symposium served to highlight developments in the concept of academic freedom.
2. See Benjamin, Kurkland & Mototsky, On Accuracy in Academiaand Academic Freedom,
ACADEME, Sept.-Oct. 1985, at la; Meddling in the Groves of Academe, N.Y. Times, Oct. 27, 1985, at
E22. col 1.
3. See Down and Out in Cambridge, NEWSWEEK, Apr. 4, 1988, at 66-67.
4. See Franklin v. Atkins, 409 F. Supp. 439, 446 (D. Colo. 1976) (stating that university im-

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