On college campuses, free speech zones have become as commonplace as fidget spinners and Sperry’s. These zones relegate one’s ability to speak freely, sometimes to spaces that equal 0.001 percent of the entire campus. In a time when our country is as divided as ever, these parking spot-sized areas are actively inhibiting civil discourse and a chance for the future leaders of this country to engage.

Free speech zones, or limited public forums, are areas set aside by universities for expressive activity. Typically, students are required to utilize only these areas for anything from distributing copies of the Constitution, gathering signatures for their club, or dressing up in a cow costume to give out hugs. Not only are students limited to these specific areas, universities often place complicated permit policies and other forms of prior restraint in order to chill speech.