Academic Freedom and the Classified Information System
Robert A. Rosenbaum 1,
Morton J. Tenzer 2,
Stephen H. Unger 3,
William Van Alstyne 4, and
Jonathan Knight 5
1 Professor of mathematics, Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut 06457
2 Professor of political science, University of Connecticut, Storrs 06268
3 Professor of computer science, Columbia University, New York 10027
4 Professor of law, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27706
5 Associate secretary, American Association of University Professors, Washington, D.C. 20036
Executive Order 12356, signed by President Reagan on 2 April 1982, prescribes a system for classifying information on the basis of national security concerns. The order gives unprecedented authority to government officials to intrude at will in controlling academic research that depends on federal support. As such, it poses a serious threat to academic freedom and hence to scientific advances and the national security.
