This sounds like a policy that is designed to avoid lawsuits and media scandals more than anything else.
FOX News reports:
Universities of Wisconsin introduce policy requiring college leaders to stay neutral on controversial issuesUniversities of Wisconsin leaders must remain neutral in public statements on political and social issues, and they should only make public statements on matters affecting school operations, under a new policy the university system released Friday.Under the new policy, university leaders’ public statements must be limited to matters that directly affect university operations and the university’s mission, and they must maintain viewpoint neutrality when referencing any political or social controversy.The purpose of the policy is “to uphold and protect academic freedom, freedom of expression, and an environment in which competing ideas can be freely discussed and debated by all members of the university community,” the policy states.The policy applies to the system president and vice presidents, the university chancellors, provosts, vice chancellors, deans, directors, department chairs and anyone else who may be perceived as speaking on behalf of a system institution.Any expression of support or opposition must be approved by UW system President Jay Rothman or the university’s chancellor.Statements expressing solidarity or empathy should be avoided if they suggest support for one group’s viewpoint over another, the new police states.The policy does not apply to faculty or staff who may express their expertise or judgment as it relates to their academic discipline or research expertise, including analysis or commentary on a political or social issue.But, the policy notes, faculty and staff should be careful when posting such statements on university-owned channels to ensure they would not be misconstrued as being made on behalf of the institution. The policy also does not apply to faculty and staff’s personal statements on non-university-owned channels.
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