How to safeguard academic freedom in an increasingly complex world: Rector's reflections

Universities in the United States are currently facing a challenging period marked by political pressure and financial coercion. This situation poses a threat to academic freedom, a topic discussed by Luisa Lambertini, the Rector of Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), in an interview featured in Lib, the monthly magazine of the Ticino Liberal Party (FDP).

As Rector Luisa Lambertini pointed out, the US university world is very diverse: "The American education system is not uniform; instead, it consists of institutions with varying histories, reputations, and financial resources. Within this diverse framework, many prestigious universities stand out, where both education and research meet exceptionally high standards. While some aspects—such as admission policies and tuition fees—may be subject to criticism, these concerns do not diminish the overall quality of teaching and research offered. I would like to emphasise here that European and Swiss institutions are fully comparable to their American counterparts. Having worked in both the United States and at a Federal Polytechnic, I can attest to this. Despite being much younger and smaller, the Università della Svizzera italiana has the qualities necessary to compete and engage with institutions that have different traditions and financial strengths".

During the Dies academicus on 10 May, Rector Luisa Lambertini emphasised that she and USI stand in support of Harvard and other US universities during this challenging time. This situation highlights a crucial issue: the need to free universities from reliance on state funding, which is increasingly diminishing: "I came to realise that access to public funds is not consistent over time, especially since I lived in California, which, despite being the fourth largest economy in the world, generates cyclical tax revenues - commented the Rector of USI-. What can be done? Private universities, such as those in the United States, often compensate for financial challenges by utilising their own endowment funds. However, this approach is not as feasible for public institutions. Additionally, seeking private funding can be risky for universities, as private donors may impose conditions that are not always agreeable".

In this respect, USI has developed its own strategy, as the Rector explained: "At USI, we have introduced the concept of an "Industrial Chair," which we offer to companies and organisations interested in associating their name with a specific project. However, we maintain our academic freedom and independence. Individual professors can accept mandates related to this initiative, provided they align with their areas of research. These mandates should cover the project's financial requirements, particularly concerning the remuneration of PhD students and assistants involved, as well as contribute to the university's fixed operating costs associated with the facility."

One of the most sensitive issues when it comes to academic freedom is freedom of expression and speech, a right that, according to Luisa Lambertini, is essential to safeguard in the right way: "Freedom of speech, both in the United States and elsewhere, is guaranteed by the Constitution. It is unthinkable that a university would hinder the exercise of this constitutional right. At USI, we strive to be a place where diverse views can come together. In this effort, we operate under the principle that the university, as an institution, does not take an official stance on issues being debated to avoid stifling the discussion—unless those issues directly impact our research and teaching mission. At the same time, the institution is dedicated to promoting freedom of expression as a central aspect of academic life. We strive to ensure inclusive and open spaces for debate among community members while respecting diverse opinions and fostering mutual tolerance. Of course, keeping silent as Rector can sometimes be difficult, particularly when it comes to violations of international humanitarian law. Even if, as Luisa Lambertini, I might have firm convictions, I must always bear in mind that the role of the university is to set the conditions for exchange, not to issue statements".

The complete interview with Rector Luisa Lambertini, conducted by Lib-, is available at the following link. (Italian only)