Academic freedom under attack since Sept. 11, some professors say.

Byline: Stuart Eskenazi

College professors are decrying a national report that criticizes them for criticizing the United States in the wake of Sept. 11, saying it reads like a blueprint for a blacklist.

The report, published by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, details more than 100 examples, including one from the University of Washington in Seattle, of what its authors interpret as a prevailing "blame America first" sentiment on college campuses.

The politically well-connected nonprofit alumni association founded in 1995 by Lynne Cheney, the vice president's wife, believes American students are graduating without a proper appreciation for what makes America great.

"We were struck by the moral cleavage that exists between the intellectual elites and mainstream America," said Anne Neal, the group's vice president. "At a time when we are defending our civilization _ and that's what this war on terrorism is about _ we wanted to alert university trustees that it is incumbent upon them to make sure U.S. history and the heritage of Western civilization is fairly transmitted on their campuses."

But some professors identified in the report say singling out those critical of the …