Whereas, the Faculty Senate at Rutgers University has recently called upon their President of Rutgers to lead the charge to establish a Mutual Defense Compact for the universities of the Big Ten Academic Alliance;
Be it resolved that, the UNL Faculty Senate fully supports the Rutgers Faculty Senate resolution to establish a Mutual Defense Compact for the universities of the Big Ten Academic Alliance;
Be it further resolved that the UNL Faculty Senate urges the President of the University of Nebraska to fully support a Mutual Academic Defense Compact (MADC) among all members of the Big Ten Academic Alliance;
Be it further resolved that, under this compact, the University of Nebraska shall commit meaningful funding to a shared or distributed defense fund. This fund shall be used to provide immediate and strategic support to any member institution under direct political or legal infringement;
Be it further resolved that, participating institutions shall make available, at the request of the institution under direct political infringement, the services of their legal counsel, governance experts, and public affairs offices to coordinate a unified and vigorous response, including but not limited to: Legal representation and countersuit actions; strategic public communication;
amicus briefs and expert testimony; legislative advocacy and coalition-building; related topical research as needed;
Be it finally resolved that, this resolution be transmitted to the leadership of all Big Ten universities and their respective governing boards and shared governance bodies.
