Steven Poskanzer publishes book on the voice of colleges and universities
Poskanzer is professor of political science and president emeritus at Carleton.
Steven Poskanzer, professor of political science and president emeritus, has published his book, The University’s Voice: Principled Silence and Purposeful Speech, with Johns Hopkins University Press. The book explores whether and when it is appropriate for colleges and universities to take official institutional stances on political, economic, moral, and social issues.
Inside Higher Ed covered the book in the piece, “A New Book Helps College Presidents Pick Their Battles,” which appeared in its December 2 daily newsletter:
In his new book, The University’s Voice: Principled Silence and Purposeful Speech (Johns Hopkins University Press), Steven Poskanzer draws on his 20 years as a college president—first at SUNY New Paltz and then Carleton College—to offer guidelines for when university leaders should issue public statements on behalf of their institution and when they should remain quiet. A lawyer by training, Poskanzer is a firm proponent of First Amendment protections for free speech, but also believes that in general, higher education and society both benefit when top administrators practice reticence—except in a few key situations.
He spoke with Inside Higher Ed over Zoom about slippery slopes, moral culpability and the limits of academic freedom.