Board Members React to US Archivist Firing
In an emotional meeting on Friday, Feb. 21, AJHA board members approved signing on to the American Historical Association statement regarding the firing of the archivist of the United States, Dr. Colleen Shogan.
Board members also asked President Debbie van Tuyll to craft a letter to U.S. President Donald Trump that directly protests his firing of Shogan. The letter follows this story. Members who wish to add their names to the letter can let van Tuyll know at dvantuyl@augusta.edu. You must sign on no later than Friday, Feb. 28, which is when the letter will be mailed and emailed. Members are also welcome to use the letter as a template for their own individual communications.
Ad Hoc Committee to Support Members’ DEI Research
A new ad hoc committee is putting together a cache of resources for members who work in areas related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and who are threatened by either state or federal attacks on their work. Those resources might be publications, websites or even experts who are willing to offer pro bono services.
A University of California system tenured law professor told Inside Higher Education that President Donald Trump's recently issued executive orders are vague when it comes to defining DEI and that concerned the professor, whose specialty is critical race theory, enough to ask for certain information to be removed from their website biography. They have also declined teaching a class on that specialty for the duration of the Trump presidency.
The AAUP and others have filed a federal law suit arguing that President Trump's DEI orders violate both the First and Fifth Amendments and threaten academic freedom.
Michael Fuhlhage of Wayne State University will chair the committee. Members include Yong Volz, University of Missouri; Robbie Byrd, University of Memphis; Gwen Mellinger, James Madison University; and Melita Garza, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. A sixth appointment is pending and will be announced once it is made.
"This is the work of angels right now," AJHA President Debbie van Tuyll said. "Government interference with Hi what happens in the collegiate classroom or individual research is a form of censorship, and we want to help our colleagues prepare to respond to such interference."
The committee began compiling links and documents for members whose work is threatened by pending legislation or other government actions that target diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and teaching during its first meeting on Friday, February 21. The committee also recommended that AJHA sign on to the American Historical Association’s statement opposing Trump’s executive order “Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling.” The committee will also host a listening/discussion session in late March for anyone who wishes to discuss the impact of the anti-DEI government action on their work. The time and date will be announced soon.
Van Tuyll has asked the committee to have their full report ready for presentation at the fall board meeting.
AJHA to Apply for Organization Credit Card
Board members also approved applying for an organizational credit card to handle convention expenses that are too great for the limits on the organization's debit card. According to Treasurer Ken Ward, the card will be paid off immediately after the conference and will not carry a balance. He will also seek a card that offers the best rewards for the organization.
Closing Note on 2024 AJHA Convention Budget
Aimee Edmondson, convention planner, sent the good news that the Pittsburgh convention did not lose money, thanks to a last-minute donation by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Letter Regarding US Archivist Firing
February 21, 2025
Dear President Trump:
I am writing on behalf of the American Journalism Historians Association to protest your firing of the archivist of the United States, Dr. Colleen J. Shogan. We are an organization that seeks to advance education and research in mass communication history and is committed to upholding the principles of our democracy.
Dr. Shogan was appointed to a role that is required by law to be non-partisan. Further, the law requires that her appointment be grounded in her professional qualifications. The law also requires that you inform both the House of Representatives and the Senate of the reasons for her dismissal. That was almost a month ago.
We urge you to follow the law and forward your reasons for her dismissal immediately. We also remind you that any replacement must be non-partisan in order to conform to the rule of law. As president of the United States, you are pledged to uphold the laws of our country. Such a pledge should not be taken lightly.
Sincerely,
Debra Reddin van Tuyll, Ph.D.
President
American Journalism Historians Association
Michael Fuhlhage, Ph.D., First Vice President, AJHA
