Despite a recent statement by the American Studies Association arguing that academic freedom at universities is under fire, both students and administrators say Duke continues to be a safe place to express political viewpoints.
The ASA - an organization of scholars across several disciplines that meets annually - published its statement, "Intellectual Freedom in a Time of War," in its spring quarterly newsletter. The statement expressed a general concern about America's march to war and what the ASA perceives as an attack on civil liberties.
"We were wondering how it would affect our work as scholars and teachers," said Amy Kaplan, president-elect of the American Studies Association and professor of English at the University of Pennsylvania. "In a time of crisis, it is especially important to question the government."
The thrust of the statement was aimed at the "chilling effect of secrecy and intimidation... on college campuses." While critics said the statement lacks evidence, Kaplan argued that it was not intended to be a data summary, but rather a consensus drawn by the organization after speaking to faculty members and students on a variety of college campuses.
"The ability to [question and criticize] in an open environment is at the basis of American democracy," Kaplan said. "We see [the statement as being] in the best traditions of upholding the democratic institutions on which the country depends."
In general, administrators said that Duke has continued to be a space for free intellectual inquiry.
"Faculty members and students alike express a wide range of opinions on almost every subject, and do so quite freely," President Nan Keohane wrote in an e-mail. "I see no evidence that this is threatened, that anyone is being silenced or repressed, and it's important that we ensure that this continues to be true."
William Chafe, dean of the faculty of Arts and Sciences, pointed to the recent invitation for Laura Whitehorn to speak, the diversity of political views on campus and The Chronicle's editorial pages as signs that academic freedom at Duke is alive and well.
"At Duke we have resisted any pressure to limit academic freedom.... We have steadfastly defended our tradition of welcoming diverse points of view," he said.
Chafe also noted that the University's historically significant decision in 1903 to stand behind history professor John Bassett after he wrote a controversial editorial ranking Booker T. Washington as the second most important Southerner born in the 19th century demonstrates Duke's commitment to uphold academic freedom.
In addition to criticizing academic freedom on college campuses, the ASA statement also attacked more stringent U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service protocols for international students that were created in response to Sept. 11.
The special registration procedures apply to international students from 25 countries - most with large Arab or Muslim populations - and include periodic in-person interviews as well as increased surveillance of international students' entries into and departures from the United States.
Junior Amir Khan, an international student from Turkey, said that although he recognizes the tension associated with being an international student at Duke, he has felt very comfortable expressing his political opinions in class.
"I have always been able to take a stance I approve of," said Khan, who is Pakistani, adding that an international student may be inclined to suppress viewpoints to avoid being questioned on the legality of his or her status in the United States. "Just to say that I haven't [experienced political pressure] doesn't mean it doesn't exist.... There is definitely that worry of getting deported because of a comment that you make."
The statement also denounces the Patriot Act, which limits academic access to certain government documents. As a result of the legislation, Duke had to dispose of a United States Geological Survey CD-ROM last March that contained information on water supplies.
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