Reaffirming Rutgers’ Commitment to Academic Freedom and Community Safety

October 17, 2025

Dear Rutgers University–New Brunswick Community:

Please read my open letter to our community, which was read out at today’s meeting of the Rutgers University Senate.

To: Lucille Foster, Chair, Rutgers University Senate
From: Francine Conway, Chancellor, Rutgers–New Brunswick
Date: Thursday October 9, 2025

Subject: Reaffirming Rutgers’ Commitment to Academic Freedom and Community Safety

Dear Colleagues,

I write today to reaffirm Rutgers University’s unwavering commitment to academic freedom and freedom of expression—values that define a great research university and underpin our mission of discovery, dialogue, and public engagement. Incidents involving ‘doxing’ and harassment of faculty members understandably raise deep concerns across our community. I want to express my support for any member of our community who has been targeted for their scholarship.

Academic freedom and freedom of speech are values that define a great research university, which must remain a place where inquiry and discovery can flourish without fear of censorship or retaliation. Recent reports of doxing have raised considerable concern.

I therefore want to express, in the strongest possible terms, not only my personal abhorrence of the practice of doxing and threatening our faculty and students, but also the university’s commitment to protecting the security of our faculty, students, and staff from the consequences of having their personal information publicly disseminated. In response, I have directed our Chief of Rutgers Police and our Chief Information Technology Officer to review current measures ensuring both physical safety and the protection of personally identifiable information in university systems. They will report recommendations to strengthen safeguards for our community members. Additionally, this past summer, I asked the faculty council to conduct a review of academic freedom, given the current challenges.

I look forward to the New Brunswick Faculty Council task force’s report.

Free speech and academic freedom do not shield any of us from disagreement or critique. At Rutgers, we encourage open and robust debate—even on the most controversial topics. Yet, the appropriate response to speech we oppose is more speech, not actions that seek to intimidate or threaten the personal safety of others.

Our university values call upon us to distinguish between robust debate and harmful conduct. Vigorous discussion—including vehement disagreement—is encouraged. But when speech shifts from exploring ideas to ad hominem attacks, it ceases to uphold our educational mission and falls outside both the letter and spirit of academic freedom.

As a Rutgers community, we affirm that freedom of speech is best honored when it is exercised with respect, accountability, and a commitment to learning together.

Rutgers’ commitment to academic freedom rests on mutual respect, accountability, and a shared dedication to learning together. I encourage all members of our community to revisit Rutgers’ Statement on Academic Freedom, which articulates how we translate these values into practice.

Our administration stands resolute in protecting these principles and in safeguarding the safety, dignity, and intellectual independence of every member of our university. Thank you for your continued dedication to fostering a vibrant, open, and inclusive Rutgers community.

Thank you for your ongoing dedication to our shared mission and for your commitment to the principles that sustain Rutgers as a vibrant, open, and inclusive academic community.

Sincerely,

Francine Conway, Ph.D.
Chancellor and Distinguished Professor
Rutgers University–New Brunswick