Report Suggests Almost Half of Public Colleges Restrict Student Speech
Higher education has drifted so far from its purpose; the free exchange of ideas.
Campus Reform reports.
REPORT: Nearly half of public colleges restrict student speech
An annual report on speech policies at major colleges and universities finds that while some progress was made toward lifting speech restrictions this year, much work remains to be done.
In the 2016 edition of “Spotlight on Speech Codes,” published annually since 2009, the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) gives a “red light” label—signifying at least one substantial speech restriction—to 49.3 percent of the 440 schools it reviewed, representing a slight improvement over last year, when 55 percent of schools received the failing grade.
In order to earn a red light rating, a school must have “at least one policy that both clearly and substantially restricts freedom of speech, or that bars public access to its speech-related policies by requiring a university login and password for access.” FIRE further specifies that a red light policy must be both “clear,” meaning its consequences do not depend on how it is applied or enforced, as well as “broadly applicable to campus expression.”
At the other end of the spectrum is the “green light” rating, which is awarded to schools whose policies are freely accessible and do not pose a significant threat to freedom of speech.
This year, FIRE gave 22 schools (5 percent of those surveyed) a green light, surpassing last year’s tally, when 18 schools (4.1 percent) received the honor. By way of comparison, only two percent received a green light rating in FIRE’s first speech code report in 2009.
REPORT: Nearly half of public colleges restrict student speech (Campus Reform)
Comments
What a sad commentary on the state of the U.S. Constitution. It is not just that these colleges and universities who restrict speech do so, it is that there is so little recognition of the first amendment implications of particularly public colleges (directly bound by the first amendment as government entities) who practice speech restriction. The courts can and should knock down these restrictions. The problem is they cannot do so until someone files an action and actions cost money to bring. Meanwhile, state legislatures should step in, define and prohibit unconstitutional speech codes at all public sector institutions, and cut off funding to those who have such restrictions. It is time to step up and speak out in defense of constitutional liberties.
Cicero: it is even sadder commentary on the state of our institutions of higher learning. If there is ANY place where ideas should flow freely, it is these places.