As approved by the Faculty Senate, November 4, 2019 (Fac doc 2853)
WHEREAS, the UW Board of Regents unanimously adopted a report on September 18, 1894 that found Professor Richard Ely innocent of charges related to teaching “utopian, impractical or pernicious doctrines.”;
WHEREAS, contained within the report are the words “Whatever may be limitations which trammel inquiry elsewhere, we believe that the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage the continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”;
WHEREAS, these words are memorialized on a plaque on the front of Bascom Hall given by the class of 1910 to the University;
WHEREAS, September 18, 2019 marks the 125th anniversary of the sifting and winnowing statement;
Therefore, be it RESOLVED by the UW-Madison Faculty Senate recognizes this important anniversary of one of the fundamental principles of the UW-Madison.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Senate urges the university and UW System to protect the free speech and academic freedom of faculty, staff and students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.