Author: Chris Hoofnagle

A visiting professor, Yael Nativ, sued the Regents earlier this year. BIFI’s statement summarized the allegation as, “The complaint alleges that a department denied Dr. Nativ’s application to return as visiting professor because of her Israeli national origin, with the department chair citing fear of controversy as a reason for declining to host her class…

The Daily Cal reports: UC Berkeley administration has suspended lecturer Peyrin Kao for the spring 2026 semester without pay for pro-Palestinian political remarks made in the classroom. The administration’s rationale is available here.

An open letter sent by the executive committee of the Berkeley Initiative for Free Inquiry (BIFI) to UC Berkeley Chancellor Rich Lyons and UCPD Chief Yogananda Pittman, regarding the November 10, 2025 Turning Point USA event. Dear Chancellor Lyons and Chief Pittman, As faculty dedicated to promoting free inquiry at UC Berkeley, we write 1)…

Video is now available from the BFA/UC-AFT/BFF2L Academic Freedom and the Release of Names panel.

Inside Higher Education reports: The Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission has formally adopted updated accreditation standards that eliminate all mention of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Statement by the Executive Committee, Berkeley Initiative for Freedom of Inquiry As faculty dedicated to promoting free inquiry at UC Berkeley, we write to express our concern about the individualized incident data recently shared with the US Department of Education regarding investigations of students and faculty. It is especially troubling that some of these allegations…

The Berkeley Division of the Senate sent the following letter concerning the release of individualized data.

Statement by the Executive Committee of the Berkeley Initiative for Freedom of Inquiry: As members of the Berkeley faculty, we are deeply troubled by the allegations in the recent complaint filed by Dr. Yael Nativ, which raises grave questions about whether our campus is living up to its civil rights obligations and free speech commitments. The complaint alleges that a department…

On July 8, 2025, the Executive Council of BIFI sent the following letter to the UC Regents concerning the Proposed Revisions to Academic Personnel Manual (APM) Section 016 (Faculty Conduct and the Administration of Discipline). Dear Regents, We are a group of Berkeley faculty representing diverse viewpoints and disciplines who share a common commitment to…