{"id":2243,"date":"2017-10-18T12:03:09","date_gmt":"2017-10-18T16:03:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mansfieldu.wpengine.com\/?p=2243"},"modified":"2017-10-18T12:03:09","modified_gmt":"2017-10-18T16:03:09","slug":"mansfield-university-joins-the-scholars-at-risk-network","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/munews.mansfield.edu\/?p=2243","title":{"rendered":"Mansfield University Joins the Scholars at Risk Network"},"content":{"rendered":"

MANSFIELD, PA\u2014<\/strong> Mansfield University has joined Scholars at Risk (SAR)<\/a>, a network of over 400 higher education institutions in 39 countries working to protect\"\"<\/a> threatened scholars, prevent attacks on higher education, and promote academic freedom.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is an exciting opportunity for our students, faculty, and staff,\u201d Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs John M. Ulrich, who is SAR primary representative at Mansfield, said. \u201cThrough our membership in Scholars at Risk, we are joining the fight to preserve academic freedom across the globe. We will have opportunities to host a visiting scholar, participate in the network\u2019s speaker series, and engage our students in research, advocacy, and other learning experiences through SAR. Exposing our students to issues faced by threatened scholars from a variety of backgrounds demonstrates our commitment to diversity and to making a difference locally and globally.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to Free to Think, a recent report published by SAR, scholars and students at universities around the world face regular threats as a result of their academic work and free expression of ideas. These threats to higher education communities range from restrictions on travel and unjustified firings to imprisonment and violence.<\/p>\n

\u201cAttacks on higher education shrink the space where people can freely think and ask questions about complex and contentious issues,\u201d SAR Executive Director Robert Quinn said. \u201cOur Network members are central to protecting scholars targeted by these attacks and building a stronger, safer university space.\u201d<\/p>\n

SAR member institutions assist persecuted scholars from other countries by offering temporary research and teaching positions, monitoring and advocating against attacks on higher education, and\/or conducting learning initiatives to promote academic freedom. In addition, faculty, staff and students at member institutions have the opportunity to engage in SAR activities, including:<\/p>\n