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Support Free Speech on Campus by Endorsing the University of Chicago Statement
Today, FIRE is launching a national campaign asking colleges and universities to adopt the free expression statement authored by the Committee on Freedom of Expression at the University of Chicago earlier this year. FIRE endorsed the statement back in January and has written hundreds of faculty members, students, and student journalists at institutions nationwide encouraging them to do the same.
This announcement comes after the Sunday Washington Post published an op-ed by FIRE’s Will Creeley and Geoffrey Stone, the current Dean of the University of Chicago Law School and one of the authors of the statement, urging universities to protect academic freedom and free speech:
Backed by a strong commitment to freedom of expression and academic freedom, faculty could challenge one another, their students and the public to consider new possibilities, without fear of reprisal. Students would no longer face punishment for exercising their right to speak out freely about the issues most important to them. Instead of learning that voicing one’s opinions invites silencing, students would be taught that spirited debate is a vital necessity for the advancement of knowledge. And they would be taught that the proper response to ideas they oppose is not censorship, but argument on the merits. That, after all, is what a university is for.
The statement, which can be adapted to all universities— not just the University of Chicago— guarantees “all members of the University community the broadest possible latitude to speak, write, listen, challenge, and learn.” Most importantly, it makes clear that “it is not the proper role of the University to attempt to shield individuals from ideas and opinions they find unwelcome, disagreeable, or even deeply offensive.” These ideas echo sentiments expressed by Jonathan Haidt and I in our recent cover story for The Atlantic and by public figures, including President Obama.
The Chicago statement is one of the best, most inspiring declarations of the critical importance of free speech on college campuses that I have seen in my career. If you want your alma mater to endorse the statement, I encourage you to sign FIRE’s pledge and write to your alma maters or local institutions. And make sure to check out Geoffrey Stone and Will Creeley’s Sunday Washington Post op-ed about the statement as well.
Published in Education
Greg, these are big milestones! Congrats! You are putting points on the board!
Well, OK, I’ll sign it, but if I get in trouble it’ll be all your fault!
(Seriously – Thank you Mr. Lukianoff for all your dedicated work to this cause)
Big milestones, indeed. Though, as of 9:00 pm, PST, there were only 359 signatures for FIRE’s pledge. Let’s get going, Ricochet
Proud to be a Maroon today.
Thank you! It’s been a big couple of months.
Yes, we need any and all help, so please send to friends, family, any one you know who cares about what’s going on on campus.
Thanks Brian! And if you get in trouble FIRE can help! :-)
GL, thanks again to you and FIRE for your great work in this area.
Let Freedom Ring!