Institutional Pluralism
Background
In November 2024, President Kumar asked Provost Caroline Genco to charge a faculty working group to explore the appropriateness of a statement on institutional neutrality for Tufts. The working group, under the leadership of Vice Provost for Faculty Colleen Ryan and Professor of International Law at Fletcher Ian Johnstone, concluded its work in the spring of 2025 and submitted a report with a recommendation to President Kumar and Provost Genco.
The final recommendation of the working group was that Tufts should adopt a statement on institutional pluralism by which university leaders “refrain from making statements on political and social matters that do not bear directly on the university’s core mission” and instead allow a plurality of individual voices within the Tufts community to speak for themselves.
On April 15, the Academic Council, which is the highest policy-making group at the university (consisting of the senior leadership team, school deans, vice presidents, and vice provosts), voted to adopt the recommendation and advance it to the Board of Trustees for final consideration. On August 6, the Board of Trustees affirmed the below core principles from the working group’s recommendation.
Core Principles
- In the interest of protecting and encouraging pluralism of viewpoint among its faculty, students, and staff, leaders at the university will refrain from making statements attributable to Tufts as an institution about political or social matters that do not bear directly upon the university’s core teaching, research, and service mission or its corporate responsibilities.
- This continues Tufts’ long-standing commitment to free speech, open inquiry, and academic freedom.
- It implies neither neutrality nor indifference on the part of Tufts leadership, faculty, staff, or students. Rather, it intends to encourage Tufts community members to speak in their own voices.
Community Event
The Office of the Provost and the faculty working group that recommended the Statement on Institutional Pluralism will hold an open forum to discuss their work. All members of the Tufts community are invited to register for this event.
Institutional Pluralism Community Discussion
4–5 p.m.
160 Packard Ave, Medford