Keith Whittington, William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Politics in the Department of Politics at Princeton University, will deliver the 2024 Pound Lecture at the College of Law. Within his talk, he’ll discuss how diversity statements have become a common component of applications for faculty positions and student admission at universities across the country. They have also become politically controversial, with several states banning the use of such requirements at public universities. The use of diversity statements also raises difficult constitutional questions under the First Amendment at public universities and academic freedom questions at both public and private universities. Although there are versions of such statements that might pass constitutional muster, as commonly designed and implemented the use of diversity statements likely violates both First Amendment and academic freedom principles.

This year, the Pound Lecture is part of Nebraska Law’s Law and Democracy Series, and is provided by generous support from Barb and Ron Schaefer.

This program has been approved for 1.0 professionalism & ethics continuing education credit in Nebraska.

To register, visit go.unl.edu/pound2024.