UPenn adopts neutrality as institutions retreat from activism
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The University of Pennsylvania is embracing a stance of institutional neutrality as more colleges across the country retreat from weighing in on the social justice debates of the day.
Why it matters: Large institutions have a great deal of power to sway opinion and effect change, but many leaders are deciding that speaking up — and often angering everyone on every side — isn't worth the trouble.
The big picture: The decision to no longer make statements about politics and world events comes after campuses across the country reached a boiling point over Israel-Hamas war protests in the spring and several presidents, including former UPenn president Liz Magill, resigned.
Zoom in: UPenn will no longer weigh in on issues that don't directly impact the university, interim president Larry Jameson announced in an email to the campus community last week. Jameson cited the need for the university to preserve its commitment to having "diversity of thought."
- Penn's policy — similar to one enacted by Harvard University — applies to university leaders, but preserves academic freedom for faculty to lead important conversations through research and scholarship.
What they're saying: "By quieting Penn's institutional voice, we hope to amplify the expertise and voices within," Jameson wrote.
- "It is not the role of the institution to render opinions," he added. "Doing so risks suppressing the creativity and academic freedom of our faculty and students."
Zoom out: Other universities' guidelines vary in detail and breadth. Some policies, such as Washington State's, simply state that the institution itself won't weigh in on issues.
Flashback: Just a few years ago, the talk of the corporate world was that companies and CEOs had missions to serve beyond making money.
- Blue chip brands also backed the racial justice protests that followed the killing of George Floyd.
Now, as companies find themselves in the middle of social and political debates, many are rethinking getting involved.
- Polls show fewer American consumers think businesses should take stances. In 2022, 48% said companies should speak on issues, and, in 2023, 41% did, according to Gallup.
Go deeper: America's institutions retreat from activism