After the University of Chicago told incoming freshmen that the school is not a “safe space” and that speakers would not be disinvited, several other schools have stepped up to defend the First Amendment.
Following Chicago’s lead, Columbia University President Lee C. Bollinger told incoming freshmen that free speech issues are “highly, highly complicated,” but noted an acceptance of free speech.
“We don’t ban speech. We don’t censor speech,” Bollinger said.
“To say we can’t ban speech is easy. To say what follows next, is hard,” Bollinger added. “There is the point: How you grapple with ideas, with thoughts, and viewpoints, and the myriad of ways available to you, will determine who you are.”
Claremont McKenna President Hiram E. Chodosh and Vice President for Academic Affairs Peter Uvin jointly endorsed the Chicago letter, calling its principles “consistent with our own.”
“We do not mandate trigger warnings. We invite controversial speakers,” the pair wrote. “We accord these rights to our students as well, whether they agree or disagree with faculty, administrators, or one another.”
Syracuse University has also announced that it would update its free speech code. Some of the new provisions would ensure protests don’t disrupt campus life and a committment to free speech and debate — so long as it is peaceful.
DePaul University has also agreed to hold a “President’s Series on Race and Free Speech.” This series could be productive, as it is supposed to allow those from different political perspectives to openly discuss the topic of race relations.
There have also been some schools that have rushed to court students who do want safe spaces. The presidents of Lewis & Clark University and Northwestern University insisted their schools welcome campus protesters, even if they occupy school offices and refuse to speak to students with whom they disagree.
Colleges appear to be drawing a line. Some schools will try to ensure their students are exposed to different ideas and viewpoints (even if it makes them uncomfortable), in order to prepare them for the future, where they can’t simply hide from those ideas. Other schools will take the opposite approach, and allow students to create a bubble for themselves.
The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education has been compiling a list of schools that have taken the former approach.
Ashe Schow is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.
