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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.

Aerial view of the University of Chicago, home of the Chicago Principles, articulating the institution’s core commitment to free expression, academic freedom, and open, robust debate across diverse viewpoints.

Campuses occupy a unique position in a democratic society

They are a significant place 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 group of ten smiling people pose indoors, holding up red and white PEN America stickers. Some are kneeling in front, others stand behind. Sheets of paper with writing hang on the wall behind them.

Student participants gather for a collaborative workshop on campus free expression advocacy during PEN America’s 2022 Student Summit for Free Expression at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Photo: Nicholas Perez/PEN America

A woman speaks at a podium in front of an American flag, addressing an audience. She wears a name tag and gestures with her hand, while listeners sit in the foreground.

Lara Schwartz, PEN America Facilitator and Founding Director of the American University Project on Civic Dialogue, guides student leaders and administrators through a PEN America Academic Freedom Colloquium in October 2024. Photo courtesy Washington College

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.

A man holding folders talks to a seated young man in a crowded auditorium. Other people sit and chat around them, some looking forward and others engaging in conversation. The atmosphere is lively and informal.

Dannoff Dean of Harvard College, Rakesh Khurana, engages in conversation with students before a PEN America Keynote panel on “Combatting Censorship, Disinformation, and Hate” on January 18, 2024. Credit: Intellectual Vitality Initiatives/Harvard College

Two groups protest outdoors. On the left, people hold signs with Christian messages about love. On the right, a man holds a large red sign listing Types of Property: Women, Slaves, Animals, Cars, Land, etc.

Students at Texas State University stage a peaceful counterprotest after outside demonstrators displayed hateful signs on campus following the 2024 presidential election. Credit: Meg Boles/The University Star

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 group of people hold signs reading “Free Speech Matters,” “Labor Conquers All,” and “Bread and Roses!” at an outdoor protest. One person in a yellow vest faces the crowd. A library building is visible in the background.

Colorado State University students gather on the Lory Student Center Plaza before the March for Academic Freedom on Nov. 7 in conjunction with the American Association of University Professors’ Day of Action. Credit: Cait Mckinzie /The Collegian

A man in academic regalia raises his right hand while being sworn in on stage during a formal ceremony, with two other people in academic gowns standing beside him.

Jim Ryan is sworn in during his inauguration as president of the University of Virginia in front of Old Cabell Hall Friday Oct. 19, 2018 in Charlottesville, Va. Ryan, who graduated from the University’s school of law as well as Harvard university, is the ninth president in school history. (Zack Wajsgras/The Daily Progress via AP)

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.