Academic Freedom Now

In 1915, the University of Pennsylvania's Trustees fired economist Scott Nearing, in retaliation for his activism in the campaign against child labor. Nearing's termination provoked a national debate and helped to rewrite the history of academic freedom in America. To mark the anniversary of the Nearing affair, a distinguished panel of scholars will explore the status of tenure and academic freedom in 2015. 

Panelists:

• Claire Finkelstein, (Professor of Law, University of Pennsylvania and past Penn Faculty Senate Chair)
• Stanley Fish, (Professor of Humanities and Law at Florida International University and Professor of Law at Cardozo Law School)
• Ann Franke, (President of Wise Results, LLC. and former Staff Counsel, AAUP)
• Bruce Kuklick, (Professor of History at the University of Pennsylvania)
• Peter Conn, (Profess or of English and Education at the University of Pennsylvania) will serve as moderator.

A reception will immediately follow the panel discussion and a display of Nearing-related materials will be on display in the Kislak Center's Lea Library from 2pm until the end of the reception.