By Hershel Hartford
President, UA-Fayetteville Education Assocation/Local 965
In recent weeks, our university community has faced a significant and troubling development: the rescinding of the offer to appoint Emily Suski as dean of the Law School. This decision, influenced by complaints from legislators and the governor, is an action that we cannot overlook nor can we allow it to become a precedent for the future of our institution.
The implications of this situation extend far beyond an individual appointment. The intervention of political figures in our academic processes raises serious concerns about the erosion of academic freedom and the integrity of our educational environment. When decisions are made based on external pressures rather than scholarly merit and institutional values, we jeopardize the core principles that define our university.
Academic freedom is the foundation of our work as educators. It empowers us to explore ideas, challenge conventions and foster an open exchange of perspectives. The politicization of educational appointments threatens to silence important voices, stifling innovative thinking and diverse viewpoints that are essential for a robust academic discourse. By allowing politics to dictate who leads our academic programs, we risk creating a culture of fear and conformity that undermines our mission to educate and inspire the next generation of leaders, thinkers and change-makers.
As members of UA-Fayetteville Education Association/Local 965, it is our duty to stand up against this intrusion of politics into our academy. We must advocate for an environment where decisions are grounded in the principles of fairness, transparency and educational excellence. We must support our colleagues and fight for a system that allows qualified individuals, like Dean Suski, to lead without the specter of political maneuvering looming over their heads.
This is a moment for us to reflect on the values we hold dear and to engage in meaningful discourse about the future of our university. I urge each of you to voice your concerns, join in discussions and collaborate in solidarity to defend our academic integrity. Together, we can create a stronger, more equitable environment where our faculty can thrive, and our students can benefit from the rich diversity of thought that characterizes a true academic community.
Let us not remain silent in the face of this challenge. We must collectively push back against any efforts to compromise our autonomy. Our university’s future depends on our commitment to protecting the fundamental principles that define us as educators.
This column first was published in the January 2026 newsletter of UA-Fayetteville Education Association/Local 965.
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