America’s Compact Virtual Rally: A Call to Defend Academic Freedom
Event Overview:
- What: Virtual Rally: America’s Compact for Higher Education
- Who: Hosted by Stand Up for Science
- When: Wednesday, October 7, 2026, 7-8 p.m. Eastern
- Where: Virtual/online (Register here)
- Accessibility: ASL interpretation and multi-language automatic captioning
Background:
On October 7, Stand Up for Science will hold a virtual rally aimed at increasing public pressure on higher education leaders to safeguard academic freedom. This rally follows the first anniversary of the Department of Education’s Higher Ed Compact, released on October 1, 2025.
Featured Speakers:
- Bruce Simon, President, State University of New York (SUNY) University Faculty Senate
- Dr. Colette Delawalla, Founder and CEO of Stand Up for Science
About the Rally:
The event will highlight the importance of protecting academic freedom and will include announcements about new endorsing organizations for “America’s Compact for Higher Education.”
Stand Up for Science has drafted this Compact in collaboration with academic leaders and Nobel Laureates in response to recent policy attempts affecting U.S. universities. It outlines commitments for academic freedom and independence.
Engagement and Participation:
Everyone is invited to participate, including members of the press. The public can read the Compact and use an embedded tool to urge college and university leaders to endorse it.
Contact Information:
- Char Bowling
- Email: media@standupforscience.net
Stay informed and get involved to help protect academic freedom in higher education across the U.S.!
