Education Now Maintaining a Culture of Free Expression on College Campuses Education Now explores how to balance free expression and open dialogue in higher education Posted February 13, 2025 By News editor Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Higher Education Leadership Moral, Civic, and Ethical Education Teachers and Teaching Many American colleges and universities are reexamining how to balance free expression and open dialogue while preserving a safe, productive, and respectful learning environment. In this edition of Education Now, we look at lessons to be learned from evolving views about free speech policies on college campuses.Host: Francesca Purcell, Senior Lecturer on Education, Harvard Graduate School of EducationGuests:Bharat Anand, Vice Provost for Advances in Learning, Harvard University, and the Henry R. Byers Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business SchoolErwin Chemerinsky, Dean, University of California, Berkeley School of LawLinda Livingstone, President, Baylor University Key Takeaways: Freedom of speech and academic expression are not absolute. Academic freedom is governed by professional standards, and universities can’t be deliberately indifferent if there is a hostile environment. University leaders can condemn offensive speech and provide physical protection, emotional support, and training for students. Practice and policies should be consistent. It is not just what universities and colleges say about free expression and academic freedom; it’s the subsequent actions that are taken that are important. Universities should prepare for and practice how they will respond to potential future challenges. Self-censorship has become a significant problem on campuses, particularly for students. Leaders and faculty need to know how to facilitate conversations on difficult issues and how to create environments where students can think critically and have healthy arguments about different points of view. Resources: Academic Freedom and Free Speech - Harvard Magazine Campus Free Expression: A New Roadmap - The Council of Independent Colleges A Blueprint for Better Conversations - The Harvard Gazette Many College Professors Say Their Academic Freedom is in Decline, Study Finds - The Chronicle of Higher Education Open Minds in Dialogue - 2024 Harvard Initiative for Learning and Teaching Conference As a New Generation Rises, Tension Between Free Speech and Inclusivity on College Campuses Simmers - The Associated Press Education Now A webinar and newsletter series to shape new approaches to challenges in education Explore All Articles Related Articles EdCast HBCUs, Higher Ed, and Democracy’s Future How HBCUs represent a model of higher education desperately needed to save the future of democracy News Higher Ed. at Harvard Event Addresses Looming End of Affirmative Action A panel of three experts weighed in on what higher education can do in the wake of a pending Supreme Court ruling News A Critical Conversation Newly developed case studies and a film discussion guide will help Harvard and other institutions to confront the legacy of slavery in their own communities.