Adoptions of an Official Position of Institutional Neutrality

Institutional Neutrality is the idea that colleges and universities should not, as institutions, take positions on social and political issues unless those issues “threaten the very mission of the university and its values of free inquiry.” Instead, these discussions should be left to students and faculty.

Student university standing with his back to the camera and his backpack on one shoulder and walking in university campus

The following institutions have adopted an official position of institutional neutrality substantially similar to the principles set forth in the University of Chicago’s Kalven Report.

If your school has adopted an official position of institutional neutrality and does not appear on this list, please reach out to speechcodes@thefire.org.

Claremont McKenna College: December 6, 2018
Vanderbilt University: February, 2021
George Fox University: July 22, 2021
University of North Carolina System: July 14, 2023
Utah State University: December, 2023
University of Wyoming: December 5, 2023
College of the Holy Cross: February 6, 2024
Western Kentucky University: March 25, 2024
Syracuse University: May 7, 2024
Harvard University: May 28, 2024
Stanford University: May 30, 2024
Purdue University: June 3, 2024
Clark University: June 10, 2024
Johns Hopkins University: August 15, 2024
University of Southern California: August 20, 2024
University of Texas System: August 22, 2024
Emerson College: August 23, 2024
University of Colorado Boulder: August 28, 2024
Franklin & Marshall College: August 29, 2024
University of Alabama System: September 5, 2024
Washington State University: September 9, 2024
University of Pennsylvania: September 10, 2024
University of Wisconsin System: September 13, 2024
University of Virginia: September 13, 2024
Northwestern University: September 27, 2024
Louisiana State University: October 10, 2024
University of Michigan: October 17, 2024
Yale University: October 30, 2024
University System of Georgia: November 12, 2024
Michigan State University: December 4, 2024
George Mason University: December 5, 2024
Washington University in St. Louis: December 6, 2024
Dartmouth College: December 10, 2024
Colgate University: December 10, 2024
Idaho State Board of Education: December 18, 2024
Western Michigan University: February 6, 2025
Eastern Kentucky University: May 14, 2025
Brown University: May 28, 2025
Ohio State University: June 25, 2025
Tulane University: August 18, 2025
Tufts University: September 3, 2025