U of M professor worries proposed policy banning political statements goes too far

Regents at the University of Minnesota are expected to vote this week on a resolution that could limit the kinds of public statements the university's institutes, centers and academic departments can make.

The resolution would bar “institutional statements addressing matters of public concern or public interest.”

Last week, University of Minnesota professor Richard Painter told MPR News host Tom Crann he felt the resolution was necessary — and that he had reported some university website statements on the Israel/Hamas war as antisemitic.

“I can participate in politics in my personal capacity. I can have a Republican yard sign in my front yard or a Democratic Party yard sign…. If someone wants to put a Hamas yard sign in the front yard… That’s the first amendment,” Painter said. “But not on a College of Liberal Arts departmental website.”

But another professor, Eric Schwartz, chair of the Humphrey School's global policy area, believes such a resolution could be harmful.

He spoke with Tom Crann about it.

Press play above to listen to their conversation.