SOUTH BEND — More than 100 University of Notre Dame faculty members have signed a letter asking that their names be added to Professor Watchlist, a website that claims to "expose and document college professors who discriminate against conservative students and advance leftist propaganda in the classroom."
The Notre Dame professors want to be included on the list with two of their colleagues whose names appear on the website: Gary Gutting, a professor emeritus of philosophy; and Iris Outlaw, director of multicultural student programs and services.
The website, started in November, accuses more than 150 college professors and other employees of promoting leftist views. The website is an aggregated list based on news stories published in recent years.
Some academics see the site as a threat to academic freedom.
The Notre Dame faculty letter states that many of the professors whose names appear on the watch list have devoted their professional lives to the pursuit of truth.
"This is the sort of company we wish to keep," the letter states in part. "We are coming forward to stand with the professors you have called 'dangerous,' reaffirming our values and recommitting ourselves to the work of teaching students to think clearly, independently, and fearlessly.
"We wish to be counted among those you are watching," it states.
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