BU AAUP advocates for academic freedom, shared governance, and the rights of faculty and students at Boston University. Our work has attracted local, national, and international attention.
Explore news coverage of the chapter's activities, statements, and involvement in important issues affecting higher education.
October 2026
On October 5, 2026, the American Association of University Professors, its Boston University and Harvard chapters, SEIU and two SEIU locals, immigrant-rights organizations, and individual applicants filed a federal lawsuit challenging two U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) policies affecting adjustment of status. Adjustment of status permits eligible immigrants already in the United States to apply for lawful permanent residence without leaving the country for consular processing.
The plaintiffs contend that policies issued in May and August 2026 could penalize applicants for using this process and allow denials without a further opportunity to provide evidence, including for applications already pending. They argue that the changes exceed the agency’s authority and put families, workers, and scholars at risk of disruption or separation. These are the plaintiffs’ allegations; the court has not resolved the merits of the case.
BU AAUP joined the litigation as part of its work to defend international scholars and members of the university community. The case is American Association of University Professors et al. v. Mullins et al., No. 1:26-cv-14527 (D. Mass.).
National and International Coverage
October 9, 2026 | Hindustan Times
US green card rules lawsuit: Why unions and immigrant groups are challenging Trump administration in court
October 8, 2026 | CiberCuba
Lawsuit filed against USCIS over new restrictions for obtaining a green card: what Cubans need to know
October 7, 2026 | Newsweek
USCIS Hit With Lawsuit Over Green Card Changes
October 2026 | Financial Express
USCIS sued over new green card rules that could force applicants to leave the US
October 5, 2026 | Law360 (subscription)
Trump's Green Card Policy Shift Must Be Blocked, Groups Say
American Association of University Professors (AAUP)
New Lawsuit Challenges Trump-Vance Administration Policies Threatening Green Card Applicants with Family Separation
AAUP Legal Program
Challenge to Trump Policy on Obtaining Permanent Residency
March-April 2026
In March 2026, Boston University's removal of Pride flags from faculty offices and academic program spaces sparked widespread concern about academic freedom, freedom of expression, and the university's treatment of its LGBTQ+ community. The controversy drew national and international media attention and prompted faculty, students, staff, and alumni to call for changes to the university's restrictions on outward-facing signs and displays.
The Boston University chapter of the American Association of University Professors (BU AAUP) played a prominent role in the faculty response. Chapter copresidents Mary Battenfeld and Joseph Harris challenged the university’s actions and raised concerns about broader restrictions on campus expression.
Following weeks of opposition, President Melissa Gilliam announced on April 6 that the university would temporarily pause the removal of outward-facing signs. Although the announcement marked an important change, questions about academic freedom and campus expression remained unresolved.
March 17-April 3, 2026
During spring break in March 2026, BU administrators removed Pride flags displayed in faculty office windows and academic program spaces. University officials maintained that the removals were consistent with a content-neutral signage policy intended to distinguish individual expression from institutional speech.
Faculty members questioned whether the restrictions were being applied consistently and raised concerns about their implications for academic freedom.
BU AAUP copresidents Mary Battenfeld and Joseph Harris sent a letter to President Gilliam protesting the removals and identifying other university actions that they believed reflected a broader pattern of restrictions on expression.
In a March 25 Boston.com interview, Battenfeld stated:
“When you tell students, when you tell faculty, when you tell staff, when you give a message that you can’t express your opinion, that is anti-free speech. It’s anti-democratic.”
Opposition grew throughout March. On April 2, students, faculty, staff, and alumni gathered outside the president's office to protest the removals and deliver a petition signed by more than 2,000 members of the university community.
March 24, 2026 | The Chronicle of Higher Education: Can You Hang a Pride Flag in Your Office Window? This University Says No. (Subscription may be required.)
March 23, 2026 | The New York Times: Boston University Pulls Pride Flags, Raising Free Speech Worries (Subscription may be required.)
March 19, 2026 | Inside Higher Ed: Faculty Outraged After BU Removes Pride Flags From Windows
April 3, 2026 | The Boston Globe: Boston University outraged over Pride flag removal (Subscription may be required.)
April 3, 2026 | Boston.com: BU rally pushes back on Pride flag removals, calls for policy change
March 21, 2026 | The Boston Globe: ‘Feels like we've gone back in time.’ Pride flags were removed from Boston University offices. Professors are alarmed. (Subscription may be required.)
March 19, 2026 | WBUR: Following outcry, BU president defends removing pride flags
March 17, 2026 | WBUR: BU faculty decry removal of pride flags from campus offices
March 24, 2026 | BU Today: FAQ: Boston University’s Signage and Posted Materials Policies
The university’s explanation of its restrictions on outward-facing signs and displays.
April 6-15, 2026
On April 6, following weeks of faculty and student opposition, President Melissa Gilliam announced a temporary pause in the removal of outward-facing signs, including Pride flags.
In her university-wide message, titled Let Us Pause, Gilliam acknowledged that the controversy had raised important questions about belonging, expression, safety, and respect. She apologized for the distress caused to the LGBTQ+ community and reaffirmed the university’s commitment to supporting its members.
The announcement represented a significant change from the university’s earlier defense of its signage restrictions. However, the pause was temporary, and the administration did not announce a permanent revision to the rules.
BU AAUP welcomed the pause while emphasizing that concerns about academic freedom and campus expression extended beyond the Pride flag removals.
In an April 6 interview with WBUR, chapter copresident Joseph Harris stated:
“The statement did not address the larger pattern of free speech suppression at BU.”
Harris also expressed concern about whether the administration intended to address those broader issues. The university’s decision and the continuing questions about campus expression received extensive follow-up coverage.
April 6, 2026 | Boston University Office of the President: Let Us Pause
President Gilliam’s announcement temporarily pausing the removal of outward-facing signs and apologizing for the distress associated with the controversy.
April 8, 2026 | Inside Higher Ed: BU President Apologizes for Removal of Pride Flags
April 6, 2026 | The Chronicle of Higher Education: This President Defended Taking Pride Flags Off Faculty Windows. Now She's Paused the Practice (Subscription may be required.)
April 7, 2026 | The Boston Globe: ‘I am deeply sorry’: BU president pauses Pride flag removals following backlash (Subscription may be required.)
April 6, 2026 | WBUR: BU president pauses removal of pride flags, reversing position
April 6, 2026 | Boston.com: BU president pauses signage policy after Pride flag controversy
A discussion with Judith Butler that includes the BU Pride flag controversy and broader questions about academic freedom and campus expression.
BU AAUP Co-President Joseph Harris submitted written testimony to the Boston City Council's Committee on Education during its March 23 hearing examining transparency, representation, and freedoms at Boston-area universities.
Speaking as a Boston University sociology professor and BU AAUP Co-President, Harris thanked Northeastern University students for organizing the discussion and inviting BU faculty and students to participate.
Harris described the longstanding challenges of shared governance at Boston University, tracing some of those concerns to the administration of former BU President John Silber. He called for a greater role for faculty and students in university decision-making and for increased accountability from university governing boards.
“We believe that university boards should include the faculty who know, teach, and interact with our students.”
“And we believe that the work of university boards require not only transparency but our engagement and accountability.”
Harris urged the City Council to use its authority to encourage greater engagement between university leadership and the communities their institutions serve.
“Working and organizing together, we will build a new, better, and more transparent and participatory university architecture.”
His testimony reflects BU AAUP's commitment to strengthening shared governance and ensuring that faculty and students have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting university life.
March 23, 2026 | City of Boston: Committee on Education hearing notice, Docket #0587
March 23, 2026 | Boston City Council: Official meeting record