Call to support the Day of Truth and Freedom - January 20, 2026
The following email was sent by the EC to President Cunningham, Provost Ritter, and the Board of Regents on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
Dear President Cunningham, Provost Ritter and Board of Regents,
The UMN Twin Cities Chapter of the AAUP calls on the University to reduce operations on Friday, January 23rd to allow members of the university community the time and space to exercise their fundamental right to free speech on a day of deep importance to our community.
Universities exist not only to transmit knowledge, but to cultivate democratic values, critical inquiry, and civic engagement. The free exchange of ideas—especially those that challenge and peacefully protest ICE’s unjust, illegal, and violent actions—are at the heart of our academic mission.
Faith, labor and community leaders across the state have called for a public day of mourning for members of our community and a pause in economic activity on Friday, Jan. 23. They are asking Minnesotans not to work, shop or attend school that day except for emergency services. This call carries profound meaning for students and academic workers, as it offers a moment for dialogue and peaceful assembly—activities fully aligned with the educational purposes of a public research university. Additionally, increased and unpredictable activities in the Twin Cities metro may make it more difficult for the university community to access campus. Suspending classes and routine day-to-day academic and administrative operations for the day would affirm the University of Minnesota’s stated commitments to academic freedom, free expression, and the well-being of students, faculty, and staff.
We emphasize that reducing operations does not suspend learning; rather, it recognizes that learning also occurs through civic participation and public discourse. By recognizing the significance of this date, the university would demonstrate leadership and respect for the threats being faced by members of our community.
The AAUP strongly urges university leadership to act proactively and responsibly by reducing operations on January 23rd and thus affirming that the University of Minnesota is committed to protecting our university community from ICE’s unjust, illegal, and violent actions.
Sincerely,
UMN Twin Cities AAUP Executive Committee
Dear President Cunningham, Provost Ritter and Board of Regents,
The UMN Twin Cities Chapter of the AAUP calls on the University to reduce operations on Friday, January 23rd to allow members of the university community the time and space to exercise their fundamental right to free speech on a day of deep importance to our community.
Universities exist not only to transmit knowledge, but to cultivate democratic values, critical inquiry, and civic engagement. The free exchange of ideas—especially those that challenge and peacefully protest ICE’s unjust, illegal, and violent actions—are at the heart of our academic mission.
Faith, labor and community leaders across the state have called for a public day of mourning for members of our community and a pause in economic activity on Friday, Jan. 23. They are asking Minnesotans not to work, shop or attend school that day except for emergency services. This call carries profound meaning for students and academic workers, as it offers a moment for dialogue and peaceful assembly—activities fully aligned with the educational purposes of a public research university. Additionally, increased and unpredictable activities in the Twin Cities metro may make it more difficult for the university community to access campus. Suspending classes and routine day-to-day academic and administrative operations for the day would affirm the University of Minnesota’s stated commitments to academic freedom, free expression, and the well-being of students, faculty, and staff.
We emphasize that reducing operations does not suspend learning; rather, it recognizes that learning also occurs through civic participation and public discourse. By recognizing the significance of this date, the university would demonstrate leadership and respect for the threats being faced by members of our community.
The AAUP strongly urges university leadership to act proactively and responsibly by reducing operations on January 23rd and thus affirming that the University of Minnesota is committed to protecting our university community from ICE’s unjust, illegal, and violent actions.
Sincerely,
UMN Twin Cities AAUP Executive Committee