August 7, 2026
Held August 2–4 in Washington, DC, the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) held a President-Board Convening on Institutional Autonomy, Academic Freedom, and Free Expression that gathered institutional leaders from 13 universities and colleges.
The core goals of the symposium were: to gain a shared understanding about academic freedom and its connection to mission; learn proven strategies for defending institutional autonomy and bolstering protections for academic freedom and free expression at independent colleges and universities; and develop actionable steps to uphold these vital foundations of American higher education for the 2026–27 year and beyond.
The meeting was informed by recommendations of the CIC Academic Leaders Task Force on Campus Free Expression and its roadmaps for presidents and trustees. Convening leaders included the co-chair of the task force Jim Douglas, former governor of Vermont and executive-in-residence at Middlebury College (VT), and task force member Walter Kimbrough, executive vice president for research and member engagement at the United Negro College Fund and past president of Dillard University (LA) and Philander Smith University (AR).
“The symposium shows our continued commitment to institutional autonomy and academic freedom,” said Marjorie Hass, president of the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC). “These are values at the heart of our missions.”
While the challenges aren’t necessarily new, the symposium comes at a time when they have drastically increased pressure. In addition to donor expectations, social media and governmental influence, students and faculty too often self-censor their speech and their research.
These are all symptoms of what Jacqueline Pfeffer Merrill, senior director of CIC’s Campus Free Expression and Civic Learning Projects, identifies as an erosion of academic freedom culture.
“In these hyperpolarized times, presidents and board chairs need a new playbook to uphold academic freedom both on campus and when contending with external pressures on teaching and research,” Pfeffer Merrill said. “We convened this audience to hear from experts, engage in tabletop exercises, and to learn from each other’s successes to prepare these leaders to become more effective academic freedom champions.”
Participating Institutions
- Agnes Scott College (GA)
- Bryn Mawr College (PA)
- Concordia College (MN)
- Defiance College (OH)
- Franklin & Marshall College (PA)
- Hendrix College (AR)
- LeMoyne-Owen College (TN)
- Mercy College of Health Sciences (IA)
- Rollins College (FL)
- St. Catherine University (MN)
- St. Lawrence University (NY)
- Stillman College (AL)
- Trinity University (TX)
About the Campus Free Expression Project
The Campus Free Expression Project supports colleges and universities in fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for robust intellectual exchange. We work with college and university leaders in developing policies and programs that promote civil discourse, free expression, and academic freedom and suit each campus’ unique history and mission. The Academic Leaders Task Force on Campus Free Expression created roadmaps to assist presidents, trustees, faculty, and student affairs administrators in this endeavor. Learn more about the Campus Free Expression Project.
About the Council of Independent Colleges
The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) is an association of more than 700 nonprofit independent colleges and universities, state-based councils of independent colleges, and other higher education affiliates that works to support college and university leadership, advance institutional excellence, and enhance public understanding of independent higher education’s contributions to society. Founded in 1956, CIC is headquartered at One Dupont Circle in Washington, DC.
Media Contacts
Susan Jenkins
Vice President for Marketing and Communication
Council of Independent Colleges
sjenkins@cic.edu
Jacqueline Pfeffer Merrill
Senior Director of the Civic Learning and Campus Free Expression Projects
Council of Independent Colleges
jpfeffermerrill@cic.edu