In the latest front on the war against academic bias in our colleges and universities, the Georgia Association of College Republicans is dismayed to report that the School of Public Policy at the Georgia Institute of Technology is formally engaged in distributing a propaganda flyer opposing the Academic Bill of Rights. The flyer is a reprint of an article attacking the Academic Bill of Rights that was published by the Revolutionary Worker (www.rwor.org), a self-identified communist organization. It is being distributed through the school’s Public Policy Office and had been posted throughout the building on professor’s personal boards and office doors.

Titled "Beware the Academic Bill of Rights," the article specifically attacks conservatives and Christians, and originates from an organization that advocates "laying the basis to wage and win (for communism) the future revolutionary civil war whenever the conditions do ripen for such a struggle (in the United States)." College Republicans obtained the flyer from the Public Policy’s office last Wednesday morning and the flyer continued to be officially distributed by that office until last Friday, at which time the practice was stopped. The flyers still remain posted throughout the building and continue to occupy space on professors’ personal boards.

The State of Georgia has recently been thrust into the forefront in the issue of academic freedom. On March 24, the Georgia Senate voted 41-5 in favor of a formal resolution discouraging public colleges and universities from discriminating against students based on their political or religious beliefs. Georgia Tech student Ruth Malhotra was among those to testify at the Senate hearing in favor of such legislation, citing examples of political prejudice. "My professor told the class, ‘Some of you don’t understand the political structure...You need to understand that Democrats will bend over backwards for you, but Republicans will cut your throats,’" recalled Malhotra.

The Revolutionary Communist Party, USA, identifies itself as, "a political Party that can lead such a struggle, a political Party that speaks and acts for those with nothing to lose but their chains." Chairman Bob Avakian advocates a revolutionary struggle to replace the current system, stating, "It is completely worthless and no basic change for the better can come about until this system is overthrown."

Calling the intellectual diversity movement "part of a right-wing pincer move," the article claims that, "Horowitz and the other reactionary forces involved with this bill aren’t interested in intellectual wrangling and they're even less interested in truth." He further states, "they are undertaking a mean-spirited, aggressive and dangerous effort to create a climate hostile to critical analysis and understanding of the world."

It is imperative that the issues of academic freedom and intellectual diversity are addressed in educational institutions around the country. "My concerns have never been a personal issue, but rather a strong belief that political prejudice often pervades the campus," Malhotra said. "This is yet another example of the extreme ideology some in authority promote." This latest attack against conservative students, officially sanctioned by the School of Public Policy, serves as ultimate proof that institutional, leftist bias exists on our campuses today despite the continued denials by university officials.  

For further information on this issue or to schedule an interview, please contact:

Britton Alexander
State Chairman
Georgia Association of College Republicans
478-731-4444