13 college presidents unite to combat campus censorship and promote free speech.
A New Partnership to Promote Free Expression on College Campuses
A group of 13 presidents from several major colleges announced a groundbreaking partnership on Tuesday, dedicated to promoting free expression on their campuses. This initiative, known as the “Campus Call for Free Expression,” was organized by the Institute for Citizens & Scholars, an organization committed to educating young people about the civic process and empowering them to become effective citizens.
A Coalition of Prestigious Universities
This partnership brings together the leaders of some of the nation’s most prestigious universities. The participating presidents represent Claremont McKenna College, the University of Notre Dame, Cornell University, Duke University, James Madison University, Benedict College, DePauw University, Rollins College, Rutgers University, the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Richmond, Wellesley College, and Wesleyan University.
Commitment to Empowering Students
“Higher education plays a crucial role in preparing our young people to thrive and become empowered citizens and leaders of the future,” stated Rajiv Vinnakota, the president of the Institute for Citizens & Scholars. “This diverse coalition of college presidents, from institutions large and small, private and public, is united in its commitment to ensuring students are well-informed, engaged, and dedicated to democracy.”
Addressing Challenges to Free Expression
This new partnership comes at a time when colleges face increasing scrutiny regarding their commitment to upholding the principles of free expression. Incidents where conservative speaking events were disrupted by protesters at schools like Stanford and San Francisco State University have made headlines. The Campus Call for Free Expression aims to address these challenges.
Enacting Programs to Promote Free Expression
The Knight Foundation is funding this endeavor, and the participating schools have committed to implementing various programs to promote free expression on their campuses. These initiatives will include speeches, events, and university programs.
For example, James Madison University plans to partner with the Bipartisan Policy Center to provide “free expression training for every incoming first-year and transfer student.” Wesleyan University will integrate discussions of free expression into their new student orientation.
Other programs include Cornell’s “Year of Free Speech” and a similar effort at Benedict College. DePauw University and Rutgers University will focus their annual convocation remarks on the theme of free expression. Additionally, the president of Rutgers plans to teach a course on citizenship, including free expression, through the lens of public institutions.
Through these initiatives, the Campus Call for Free Expression aims to foster an environment where diverse perspectives are respected and encouraged, ensuring that college campuses remain vibrant hubs of intellectual discourse and democratic values.
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