Scholars, lawyers, and writers who cherish free speech are fighting back in earnest against the dangerous smothering of unfettered expression on college campuses nationwide. Good for them. This fight that must be waged, and won.

More than 300 thought leaders this week released a statement called “Free to Speak: Reforming the Higher Education Act.” It is a stirring call for legislative action aimed at “holding colleges accountable when they do not respect intellectual freedom.” Noting that the federal Higher Education Act is due for reauthorization this year, the statement demands that Congress provide enforcement mechanisms for the law’s existing but unenforced clauses meant to protect students’ rights to speech, assembly, and religion.