Dear Members of the Barnard Community,
In an attempt to not encourage—while not discouraging—the widest diversity (as well as the narrowest uniformity) of views, Barnard College is cautiously announcing the adoption of an Institutional Neutrality Policy.
With this policy, Barnard therefore reaffirms its unwavering commitment to taking no position whatsoever. Our adherence to institutional neutrality is rooted in the principles set forth by other historically neutral entities such as the country of Switzerland and mules. As we see it, no position at all is far preferable to being on the wrong side of history.
Both the administration and the Board of Trustees are committed to defending both free and repressed speech, open and closed inquiry, and academic freedom and unfreedom. In fact, we remain so committed to neutrality on these topics that we will refrain from commenting on them at all unless the matter concerns our decision to refrain from providing commentary.
If circumstances require us to speak, we will do so only to clarify that we have nothing to say. In fact, we’ve already said too much.
Neutrally,
President Laura Ann Rosenbury
