Dive Brief:
- Most students and staff don't feel restricted from stating their views on the four campuses in the University of Nebraska system, but they are somewhat concerned that not all views are welcome, according to a survey by Gallup commissioned by the university after a free speech issue arose.
- The survey found students believe the views of women and liberals are most welcome but not significantly more than those of other groups, The Chronicle of Higher Education reported. Yet roughly one in three students said they do not feel comfortable displaying political views with professors or in class. One in four faculty members said they were uncomfortable starting discussions about unpopular topics.
- System President Hank M. Bounds requested the survey after a graduate student was removed from teaching duties when she berated a conservative undergraduate who was handing out literature at the Lincoln campus. The undergraduate filmed the encounter, and it was widely circulated in conservative media and elsewhere.
Dive Insight:
Research by a Georgetown University free speech group indicates that there may not be as many incidents of free speech violations as some concerned about the issue say, and that they affect groups of various political stripes rather than any one in particular.
The Georgetown University Free Speech Project found there have been about 60 discriminatory free speech incidents on college campuses during the last two years, though there are more than 4,500 colleges and universities in the U.S. Furthermore, in the cases identified, the same roster of invited speakers often was in question.
In the last few months several media outlets including The New York Times and The Washington Post have reported that the issue of free speech violations on college campuses has been exaggerated. Two writers for Vox argue that there is "little support for the claim that free speech rights are seriously imperiled at American universities."
The Vox writers also addressed claims that conservative speakers are targeted to a greater degree than liberal speakers, noting that this happens less frequently than the impression given in popular media and by conservative groups. In addition, faculty members were not frequently fired due to freedom of speech issues despite such claims.
However, those who contend free speech imperatives are stifling voices on campuses — particularly conservative ones — say the issue often involves subtle actions and the fact that activists "now command more power to shut down debate on campus."