Contact:
George Leef
georgeleef@jamesgmartin.center
919-828-1400
Raleigh, NC, October 4, 2024 — The James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal has signed in support of an amicus brief in the case Reges v. Cauce. This is a case that arose at the University of Washington (UW), where Reges is a professor. After UW officials suggested that faculty members include on their syllabi a “land acknowledgement” statement to the effect that the campus sits on land that rightfully belongs to a native tribe, Reges chose to write his own statement, parodying the university’s pointless groveling. UW officials were so upset at his mockery that they decided to punish him.
The trial court sided with UW, so the case is now on appeal to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
The amicus brief argues forcefully that the legal precedents are against allowing public employers to retaliate against employees, especially faculty members, for expressing unpopular ideas. Although UW claims that Reges’ conduct was “disruptive” and therefore not protected, the briefs point out that free speech would be terribly burdened if employers were allowed to punish speech they dislike merely by labeling it “disruptive.”
George Leef, the Martin Center’s director of external relations, said, “The district court’s decision in Reges must be overturned; otherwise, college officials will have free rein to punish faculty members who dissent from leftist orthodoxy. The amicus briefs show the appellate court the correct way to resolve the case – by upholding the free speech rights of Professor Reges.”
About the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal
The James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy organization dedicated to excellence in higher education. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, the Martin Center advocates for responsible governance, viewpoint diversity, academic quality, cost-effective education solutions, and innovative market-based reforms. We study and report on critical issues in higher education and recommend policies that can create meaningful change at the state and local levels.