Current situation on college campus

After my previous blog post diving into whether or not we are limiting free speech on campus, I remain at the conclusion that we are limiting speech. While I did originally have strong opinions on the topic, I have also concluded that universities are generally trying to do what is best for free speech. Where are these limitations coming from? Multiple sources, including students and professors. While many have good intentions, they may not realize the cost of silencing others. Are professors really limiting free speech? In an article from, The Atlantic, Conor Friedersdorf covered a debate on free speech being threatened on campus held at Yale University. He covered University of Pennsylvania Professor, Shaun Harper, who leads its Center for the Study of Race and Equity in Education. During the debate, Professor Harper said, “I invite our opponents to present us more than a handful of written, institutional policies––where it's been put in writing that you can't say certain things. You can't wear certain costumes. Sure, students would be encouraged to do or not do something. But I, as a higher-education scholar who studied thousands of colleges and universities, have never seen a written institutional policy.”

Although the previous research did not change my mind on the topic, it did allow me to empathize with people who prefer a trigger warning, or attempt to create a more equal society. I believe we must create safe environments on campus for all ideas, thoughts and words. What happens if we continue to hide from people whose views don’t align correctly with our own? University of Virginia President Teresa A. Sullivan said, “If we protect college students today from opposing views and diverse perspectives through “speech codes” or other restrictions on free expression, we do them a great disservice, because we’re leaving them unprepared for the intellectual and social fray that they will enter the moment they step off our campuses.” How do we progress from our current situation? I think the answer is clear; we must push for an open, honest discussion. Every opinion should be respected and given the option to be expressed.

Kelly, Jane. "At Higher Ed Conference, UVA President Offers Vigorous Support of Free Speech." UVA Today. N.p., 13 Mar. 2017. Web. 14 Apr. 2017.

Friedersdorf, Conor. "The Glaring Evidence That Free Speech Is Threatened on Campus." The Atlantic. Atlantic Media Company, 04 Mar. 2016. Web. 13 Apr. 2017.

ACEducationTV. "ACE2017: Teresa Sullivan Gives the Robert H. Atwell Lecture." YouTube. YouTube, 13 Mar. 2017. Web. 14 Apr. 2017.