The AHA has sent a letter to Richard Corcoran, president of New College of Florida, expressing “deep concern about New College’s decision not to renew the contract of Erik Wallenberg, a visiting assistant professor in the Department of History.” “Our apprehension stems from evidence that Wallenberg’s contract was not renewed because of his politics and his comments about institutional governance, rather than his qualifications or job performance,” the AHA wrote. “Indiscreet tweets by a member of the college’s board of trustees raise concerns about the possibility of inappropriate governing board interference and a violation of academic freedom.”

Download the letter as PDF. 

July 26, 2023

Richard Corcoran, President
New College of Florida 

Dear President Corcoran:

The American Historical Association expresses deep concern about New College’s decision not to renew the contract of Erik Wallenberg, a visiting assistant professor in the Department of History. Our apprehension stems from evidence that Wallenberg’s contract was not renewed because of his politics and his comments about institutional governance, rather than his qualifications or job performance. This abridgement of academic freedom is contrary to the norms and ethics of higher education in the United States, and I assume contrary to the normal practices at New College.

Professor Wallenberg’s supervisor, Dr. Barbara Hicks, asked Wallenberg in April if he wished to return next year; he answered affirmatively, and she did not give him any indication that either his teaching or research failed to meet the college’s standards.

When members of the New College Board of Trustees attacked Professor Wallenberg for comments made outside the classroom, those public officials clearly linked his ouster to his political beliefs and his public criticism of the university.

On May 12, Professor Wallenberg was informed that his contract would not be renewed and was given no explanation—merely that you had declined to sign the renewal. As far as we know there are no communications between you and Professor Wallenberg during this period, nor did anyone else at New College indicate to him that any aspect of his work as a visiting assistant professor was deficient in any way.

So, what happened? Indiscreet tweets by a member of the college’s board of trustees raise concerns about the possibility of inappropriate governing board interference and a violation of academic freedom. At the very beginning of the process, in March 2023, trustee Christopher Rufo publicly mocked Professor Wallenberg’s curriculum vitae, while referring to him and another faculty member as “pure left-wing Mad Libs. Luckily, both are visiting professors” (Rufo Twitter feed, March 7, 2023). Did this trustee speak with you about Wallenberg’s political views or statements outside the classroom? Was your ensuing refusal to sign the renewal forms, without any comment about Dr Wallenberg’s qualifications, related to this warning?

Your trustee suggests that your decision was, indeed, influenced by such considerations. On June 6, Rufo stated what he clearly considers to be institutional policy: “New College will no longer be a jobs program for middling, left-wing intellectuals.”

If Professor Wallenberg’s record suggests that his work was “middling,” we ask that a member of the college administration provide him with specific examples of his teaching or scholarship that does not meet the college’s standards. If his work is not “middling,” then that leaves your trustee clearly stating that “left-wing intellectuals” have no place on the faculty at New College. Surely you don’t object to faculty members being “intellectuals.” So, the only remaining blot on Dr. Wallenberg’s record, according to a member of the college’s governing board, is his political affiliation or perspective.

The United States has been through this before, seven decades ago. What came to be called “McCarthyism” was unacceptable then, and it is unacceptable now. According to the statements of a member of the college governing board, New College has committed a violation of academic freedom in its decision not to renew Professor Wallenberg’s appointment.

The AHA is the largest association of professional historians in the world. Our approximately 11,000 members include college professors, secondary school teachers, advanced students, and public historians working in museums, national parks, and innumerable other venues. The professional standards we articulate and promote are cited frequently inside and outside the academy. Prominent among those standards is the right of historians to express their opinions as private citizens without fear of institutional discipline.

We hope you will reconsider your decision not to renew Professor Wallenberg’s contract and to consider the care that New College officers must take around both employment issues and well-established norms of academic freedom.

Sincerely,

James Grossman
Executive Director

cc: Dr. Brad Thiessen, Provost
Dr. Barbara Hicks, Division Head