SEPTEMBER 12, 2024, NEW YORK, NEW YORK — Heterodox Academy (HxA), a non-partisan, non-profit membership organization committed to improving institutions of higher education by advocating for the principles of open inquiry, viewpoint diversity, and constructive disagreement, announced the addition of 24 new Campus Communities joining its Network, including McMaster University, Mount Holyoke College, New York University, University of Michigan, University of Pennsylvania, University of Southern California, and Virginia Tech.

This fourth cohort of Campus Communities joins 50 others that have become part of the HxA Campus Community Network since its launch in January 2023 – a nearly 50% increase of the Network’s size in a single cohort. The Network now represents 74 campuses across North America and the UK, and collectively impacts 2 million students.

“Our Campus Communities are led by highly engaged HxA members who are dedicated to the academic missions of their institutions,” said Martha McCaughey, Director of Member and Campus Engagement at Heterodox Academy. “It’s a testament to the impact of our Network so far to see such a profound interest this year across a diverse range of institutions. As our Campus Community Network grows, so does our ability to elevate our universities.”

Each Campus Community consists of faculty, staff, and students who work to improve culture and institutional practices on their campus by exemplifying HxA values. With the support of HxA, campuses in the Network have so far hosted over 100 campus events to demonstrate the value of constructive academic dialogue, and successfully passed or initiated 18 policy and procedural changes on campuses to protect open inquiry and academic freedom.

“As our Network has grown in the last two years, we’ve seen a surge of activity and momentum from academic insiders who love their universities and want to make them better,” said John Tomasi, President of Heterodox Academy. “We’re delighted to have 24 campuses join the Network. These campus communities will defend open inquiry and magnify the already-impressive impact being made by the Network.”

The Campus Community Network accepts applications for new campus communities between April and August of each year. Learn more about the Network and find out if HxA is on your campus by visiting https://heterodoxacademy.org/campus-communities/. Interested in starting an HxA Campus Community at your university? Reach out to campuscommunities@heterodoxacademy.org.

New HxA Campus Communities Joining the Network*

• California State University - Sacramento
• California State University - Los Angeles
• Carnegie Mellon
• College of Charleston
• Franklin and Marshall College
• Indiana University - Bloomington
• Macalester College
• McMaster University
• Michigan State University
• Mount Holyoke College
• New York University
• North Carolina State University
• Northeastern Illinois University
• Northwestern University
• Oregon State University
• Rutgers University
• University of Maryland - College Park
• University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
• University of Missouri
• University of Nevada - Las Vegas
• University of Oregon
• University of Pennsylvania
• University of Southern California
• Virginia Tech

*Note: HxA Campus Communities are organized by HxA members at each institution; they are not necessarily officially endorsed or sanctioned by their institution.

About Heterodox Academy

Heterodox Academy is a nonpartisan, nonprofit membership organization of thousands of faculty, staff, and students advocating for policy and culture changes that ensure our universities are truth-seeking, knowledge-generating institutions grounded in open inquiry, viewpoint diversity, and constructive disagreement.

Press Contact

Nicole Babaro

Director of Communications

barbaro@heterodoxacademy.org