Free speech on campus is necessary for research, advancing knowledge, and preparing students for jobs and civic roles.
Jeff Frantz (215) 898-3269 | frantzj@upenn.edu
*Note for TV and radio: The University of Pennsylvania has an on-campus ISDN line and ready access to a satellite uplink facility with live-shot capability.
Campus Free Speech expert Sigal Ben-Porath is available for comment.
*Note for TV and radio: The University of Pennsylvania has an on-campus ISDN line and ready access to a satellite uplink facility with live-shot capability.
How would the Trump administration decide if a college is protecting free speech? Will there be a system to report violations to the government, and if so, who will verify the complaints? Will there be a committee? This is thought-police territory.
The president is not the first to propose such a troubling idea. State legislatures have tried to prevent student protests — even though protest is a form of protected speech — and prevent protests on specific issues, such as Israel's policies toward Palestinians.
Universities know some students, especially conservatives, feel they can't express their political views. Some minority students face bias and bigotry, and this can silence them. There is still work to do. But free speech on campus is necessary for research, advancing knowledge, preparing students for jobs and civic roles. It requires an ongoing dialog about ideas on campus in which all can participate. Attacks, vilification, and executive actions will do little to promote this goal.
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