What Is Academic Freedom Anyway?

Maybe someone who read this can tell answer that question. I've always been a little fuzzy on its meaning. I only get more confused when I read things like this: Phi Beta Kappa Reject GMU

George Mason University Prof. Marion Deshmukh was feeling good last fall as she finished the school's 177-page application seeking to establish a chapter of the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa honor society. The university, growing in size and reputation, counted two Nobel laureates among its faculty, new majors had been added and the library's collection had grown to more than 1 million volumes.

But the very day Deshmukh delivered the application, George Mason got some unwanted attention: Leaders of the state university in Fairfax County, under pressure from conservative Virginia lawmakers, withdrew a speaking offer to liberal filmmaker Michael Moore, the outspoken director of "Fahrenheit 9/11." The controversial cancellation of an event scheduled days before the presidential election made headlines nationwide.

University President Alan G. Merten said it was Moore's $35,000 fee, to be paid with state funds, that prompted the university to pull out, not opposition to the filmmaker's rhetoric. But Phi Beta Kappa officials apparently were not convinced: The organization, citing concerns about academic freedom, promptly rejected George Mason's application, according to university professors involved in the process.

As you read the rest of the article it becomes clear that it is recounting an actual threat to academic freedom. Unfortunately that threat emanates from the Phi Beta Kappa Society.

John Churchill, Phi Beta Kappa's secretary, would not discuss the society's decision, saying that all deliberations regarding schools seeking chapters are confidential.

Here is a question: Why are these deliberations confidential? I cannot come up with a single good reason. If the entire exercise is supposed to encourage the open and free discussions we want in a democratic society why are these decisions being enacted in secret? How are we to know that the decision making process isn't being tainted by some animus towards George Mason University (which, by the way, has been known to harbor *gasp* libertarians)? The truth is we can't know. We are just supposed to trust them. Besides, they wouldn't be a force for infringing anyone's freedom?! Right?

Phi Beta Kappa uses a rigorous three-year review to select colleges to host new chapters. Institutions seeking to establish a chapter must submit a preliminary application. A handful then are invited to turn in a more detailed report. Phi Beta Kappa officials visit the campus and interview students and professors before making a final judgment.

During the previous cycle, which ended in 2003, George Mason was among 10 finalists but was turned down because Phi Beta Kappa officials had concerns over curriculum and other spats between the university's Board of Visitors, a 16-member body appointed by the Virginia governor, and faculty members, said Deshmukh, a history and art history professor who headed the university's efforts to obtain a chapter. (emphasis added)

I'm sorry, what part of academic freedom allows an outside entity like the Phi Beta Kappa Society to attempt to dictate both the internal running of and the curriculum of George Mason University? I've tried to square it with academic freedom's stated goals, but I cannot. Theoretically, GMU should resist the influence of the Phi Beta Kappa Society every bit as much as the Virginia legislature. Thus my confusion.

Of course, the more cynical among us already have an answer. Maybe, the problem with GMU wasn't what they did as much as who they did it to. As this site suggests Phi Beta Kappa doesn't have a problem with this behavior as long as it meets certain "political guidelines." This suggestion is strengthened by the fact that the PBK people didn't even attempt to get views on what happened from the people involved at GMU. That seems fair, no?

Then again, maybe academic freedom just means what "they" say it means. You'll just have to hope you are one of "them."

(gleaned from QandO)