About Us

CU Stands Up is a grassroots community—not a formal organization.

We have no leaders, founders, official membership, sponsors, or hierarchy. What unites us is a shared desire to building community, solidarity, and open dialogue among Columbia faculty and staff during a time when it is essential to stand up against authoritarian tactics and constraints—those made explicit in the University’s agreement with the federal government and those embodied in the broader politics of intimidation and suppression.

We use simple, low-cost, communication tools —no one is paid and no one is paying us. We act creatively, speak truthfully, and challenge leadership when necessary. No one person speaks for CU Stands Up; the strength comes from collective voice and mutual accountability.

We come together to discuss, organize, and act in defense of academic freedom, free expression, shared governance, and the safety, rights, and dignity of faculty, staff, and students. Our conversations evolve with the moment: we organize around issues facing Columbia, the country, and the world. Many discussions align with calls to the Board of Trustees, yet our focus shifts organically as new challenges—and opportunities for collective action—emerge.