AUBG President Dr. Margee Ensign has joined over 400 college and university leaders from across the United States and beyond in signing A Call for Constructive Engagement, a public statement recently released by the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) in response to ongoing actions by the federal government affecting higher education. The educational and nonprofit leaders were convened by AAC&U and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
AUBG President Dr. Margee Ensign shared her reflections on the decision: “As President of AUBG, I felt compelled to add our university because our mission has always been clear: to educate democratic, ethical leaders who are equipped to think critically, act with integrity, and contribute to the future of their communities and countries. These goals are only possible in an environment where academic freedom is protected and where civil discourse is valued.”
The AAC&U statement reaffirms the essential freedoms that allow universities to educate, to question, and to serve the public good. At a time when political interference threatens the independence of higher education, we speak with one voice to call for respectful collaboration and meaningful dialogue between the U.S. government and academia.
By joining this call, AUBG stands alongside some of the most respected liberal arts colleges and universities in reaffirming the essential role of higher education in strengthening democracy and serving the common good.
“The freedoms we defend are not abstract—they are at the heart of everything we do at AUBG,” said President Ensign. “They empower our students to ask difficult questions, engage across perspectives, and prepare for lives of leadership and service in democratic societies. This is the core of our liberal arts, our liberating education.”
To read the full statement and view the list of signatories, visit www.aacu.org/constructive-engagement.
