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PEN America’s Campus Free Speech Principles

PEN America’s Campus Free Speech Principles

A collage features a man speaking into a megaphone on the right, and a classroom scene with a teacher addressing students seated in rows on the left. The background includes red and black abstract design elements.

These principles undergird all of PEN America’s Campus Free Speech Guide. As you use this guide,  you will find additional principles and recommendations that relate to a variety of issue areas. Case studies, along with resources and advice, will allow the reader to best understand PEN America’s position when it comes to upholding free speech, academic freedom, and inclusive communities. 

Campuses occupy a unique position in our society

In a democracy, college campuses are where rising generations learn and practice freedom of expression, where the open exchange of ideas is essential to their mission, and where academic freedom enables intellectual exploration and innovation.

Free speech and inclusion go hand in hand. 

Campuses can and must fulfill their dual obligations to protect free speech and advance diversity and inclusion. In order to uphold commitments to free expression, campuses must foster a diverse and inclusive environment. And, in order to uphold commitments to the rights of all students to participate freely and equally, campuses must remain open to a broad range of ideas and perspectives.

A lecturer stands in front of a diverse group of university students seated in a tiered lecture hall, engaging them during a class or presentation.

Education strengthens free expression.

An education that includes exposure to challenging ideas and a diversity of perspectives builds a culture of free expression on campuses and beyond. Promoting free speech to the fullest extent requires fostering a climate of open inquiry and critique, respectful engagement, and equal opportunities to engage in open discourse. This is nurtured by education and practice, not just policy.

Campus leaders play a critical role in modeling free expression.

They must understand the bedrock values of freedom of speech and diversity of thought that are essential to the academic mission, and integrate them into their policies and practices. They must also be free to assert and affirm their institution’s values as they see fit.

Students sit in groups on a grassy, tree-filled college quad, surrounded by brick academic buildings and intersecting stone pathways, on a sunny day.
Students sit in groups on a grassy, tree-filled college quad, surrounded by brick academic buildings and intersecting stone pathways, on a sunny day.

Hateful speech can have a chilling effect on others, but campuses should not respond to such speech with censorship.

Instead they should consider responding with educational efforts, a clear statement of institutional values, support for affected students, and opportunities for further dialogue and learning. Where speech crosses into harassment, discriminatory action, or hate crimes, however, campuses must respond firmly. 

More expression is better than less.

Campuses that take proactive steps to promote and embrace a culture of free expression are better prepared to handle controversies as they arise. Reactions to speech challenges should err on the side of protecting speech, and avoid implementing restrictions that could infringe on the essential openness of the campus environment. 

A person stands at a podium with a laptop, speaking to an audience in a conference room. The audience is out of focus, emphasizing the speakers perspective.

Colleges and universities must be politically independent and free from state censorship.

For the academy to thrive, its core functions, including research, teaching, admissions, and hiring must remain independent and free from political influence or control. Such institutional autonomy is a necessary prerequisite for academic freedom and the freedom to learn, and for ensuring universities remain drivers of a free and democratic society. 

PEN America’s Guides to Free Speech Issues on Campus

These guides provide principles, guidance, and advice for nurturing campus communities that protect freedom of expression and academic freedom to the utmost while upholding values of belonging and inclusive communities.