California, a state known for recent violence against controversial speakers like Milo Yiannopoulos and Ben Shapiro, is considering bipartisan legislation to make sure that state colleges and universities affirm their commitment to protecting freedom of expression.
If enacted, the Free Speech on Campus Act of 2018, introduced by Republican Assemblyman Kevin Kiley and Democratic Assemblyman Bill Quirk, would mandate that each University of California or community college release a statement affirming its mission to protect free speech. It would also require schools to back that statement with, but not limited to, educational programming online and on campus.
California’s constitution requires the state to reimburse school districts and local agencies for costs mandated by the state. There are already procedures for making that reimbursement.
“Universities exist to provide the conditions for hard thought and difficult debate so that individuals can develop the capacity for independent judgment,” the bill states. “This cannot happen if universities attempt to shield people from ideas and opinions they might find unwelcome, or if members of the university community try to silence or interfere with speakers with whom they disagree.”
The proposed legislation adds, “These beliefs and practices — these scholarly norms — are inextricably linked to related values, including a genuine desire to engage competing perspectives and learn from those who have had different experiences or who hold different viewpoints.”
Many student groups are coming out in support of the proposed legislation.
“Free speech is under attack on college campuses especially in California, so requiring schools to declare a pro-free speech stance pressures them into actually following through with it,” Ariana Rowlands, chairman of the California College Republicans, told Red Alert Politics. “If more students are taught about their constitutional rights instead of about irrelevant social justice topics, our country will be more efficient and our students will be better prepared for the real world.”
In addition to the College Republicans, groups like the AMCHA Initiative, which monitors campus anti-Semitism, support the bill.
“While our organization focuses primarily on protecting Jewish students from intolerant behavior that is anti-Semitic, we believe the entire campus benefits when all students are ensured equal protection from exclusionary behavior,” stated AMCHA director Tammi Rossman-Benjamin before the California State Assembly. “The Free Speech on Campus Act will go a long way toward that goal of restoring civility and respect on UC, CSU and California Community College campuses, and upholding the pillars of higher education that will benefit our state and our nation for years to come.”
The bill is pending in committee in the California state legislature.
