The Council for Academic Freedom catalyzed a broad re-examination of assumptions dominating campus culture for over a decade. Among them was whether Harvard University administration should adopt institutional neutrality. On Monday, April 8, 2024, James Bryant Conant University Professor Danielle Allen, and Harvard Medical School Professor of Psychobiology, Bertha Madras, came together to share their perspectives and expertise on this timely issue. After the faculty conversation, Professors Allen and Madras were joined by a group of College students, Dean of Students Tom Dunne, the Dean of Undergraduate Education, Amanda Claybaugh, and the Director for Intellectual Vitality Initiatives, Camila Nardozzi, for dinner, further discussion, and Q&A

“Professor Madras and Professor Allen brought a cornucopia of diverse expertise and perspectives on Academic Freedom and Institutional Neutrality to the table at Books Open, Gates Unbarred last night. A key takeaway I gained from last night is that there are a myriad of trade offs in setting a university policy around Institutional Neutrality and ensuring the protection of Academic Freedom in the classroom. After last night I fundamentally believe that university dialogue would be strengthened if stakeholders sought out forums akin to Books Open, Gates Unbarred rather than often divisive digital forums.”

Jack Botein ’27