The tenets of academic freedom accord wide latitude to faculty in their scholarship and their teaching. NYU has the utmost respect for the principles of academic freedom, and so is naturally circumspect about commenting on views expressed by faculty.

Amid reports that your professor, Mark Crispin Miller, has been saying that masks are ineffective in checking the spread of COVID-19, we refer you to the most authoritative public health guidance, which recommends wearing a mask as an effective way to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The evidence backs it up. And we remind you that wearing a mask is required at NYU.

It pains us to comment in any way on a faculty member's comments, and we do so advisedly now; however, we do not feel we have a choice. The matter is too important to your health and the health of those around you.