On May 4, the AAUP released an investigating committee’s report on unilateral actions taken by the administration and board of the College of Saint Rose in New York to reduce or eliminate twenty-seven academic programs and thereby to terminate twenty-three tenured and tenure-track appointments. The report, available here, concludes that the cuts and layoffs, “the result of a lack of responsible stewardship at the board and presidential levels,” undermined academic freedom and rendered tenure virtually meaningless.

Now students at St. Rose have released a terrific 18-minute video documentary, “The Difference,” documenting the struggle of students and faculty together to resist the cuts at St. Rose and restore institutional shared governance.  It’s a powerful statement that will resonate at colleges and universities across the country.  Be sure to watch it below:

At its June 3-4 meeting AAUP’s Committee A on Academic Freedom and Tenure will consider whether to recommend that the annual membership meeting, to be held on June 15, place the administration of the College of St. Rose on the Association’s list of censured administrations.