At its annual meeting on Sept. 5, 2024, the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees adopted a resolution and updated Board Rule 304 to affirm the UA System鈥檚 longstanding commitment to institutional neutrality and freedom of speech and expression. As an institution, the UA System will remain neutral on political and social issues unless the issue directly affects core operations.

As the state鈥檚 flagship university system and largest higher education enterprise, the UA System is dedicated to safeguarding free speech, academic freedom and the educational experience of its students. Institutional neutrality promotes academic freedom and freedom of speech by allowing for a wide range of ideas and perspectives to be openly exchanged and respectfully debated by campus community members not speaking on behalf of the institution. Taking institutional positions on issues, on the other hand, risks alienating campus community members and destroying the intellectually independent environment upon which the UA System thrives. The Board鈥檚 formalization of the UA System鈥檚 longstanding practice of maintaining institutional neutrality will ensure its three universities continue to serve as welcoming environments to all people and neutral forums for scholarly debate and free and open inquiry.

鈥淚t is not a university鈥檚 place to tell people what to think on the issues of the day; rather, it is a university鈥檚 place to foster an environment where these issues can be explored and where campus community members have the freedom to share their thoughts, and hopefully learn from others,鈥� said Interim Chancellor Sid J. Trant. 鈥淥pportunities for civil discourse are more important than ever, as is our commitment to free speech and 鈥� importantly 鈥� treating all with compassion and respect. As a result of our Board鈥檚 action, our universities will continue to serve as objective places of learning and inquiry for all people of all backgrounds.鈥�

Watch Interim Chancellor Trant鈥檚 remarks regarding the Board鈥檚 action: