Does the academic aspect of the Commitment represent a threat to academic freedom?
No. By signing the Commitment presidents agree to promote education on climate issues and sustainability in ways that are appropriate within the community of the institution. This in no way dictates what is taught and learned or how it is taught and learned. In many institutions, the faculty has control of the curriculum, and the president cannot change it. Still, he or she can fulfill the terms of the ACUPCC by encouraging faculty to more explicitly engage students in this topics, and opening the dialogue around these topics on campus. The intent of this requirement is very much in line with the spirit of academic freedom and discovery of new knowledge by exploring the complexity of these issues that are relevant to the times.
