Campus Free Speech
PEN America champions free speech on college campuses and provides resources to students and administrators to maximize both speech and inclusion.
PEN America’s Campus Free Speech Principles
Campuses occupy a unique position in a democratic society where the open exchange of ideas is essential to their mission.
Free speech and inclusion go hand in hand.
Campus leaders play a critical role in modeling free expression.
Education strengthens free expression.
Hateful speech can have a chilling effect on others, but campuses should not respond to such speech with censorship.
More expression is better than less.
Colleges and universities must be politically independent and free from state censorship.
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.
PEN America’s Guide to Free Speech Issues on Campus
This guide provides 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.
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Hateful Speech and Expression on Campus
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Protests on Campus
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Faculty Speech and Expression
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Speakers and Events on Campus
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Campus Climate
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The Law & Campus Free Speech
Campus For All Workshops
Developed by a diverse team of higher education professionals, our workshop offerings cover the basics of free speech and academic freedom and provide tools and tactics on campus for all members of the campus community.
Our team is also available for conference presentations, keynotes, and panel discussions. For more information, get in touch with us at [email protected].
Reports
PEN America has found that U.S. campuses struggle to balance both free speech and welcoming campuses for all students.
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Chasm in the Classroom
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Wrong Answer
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And Campus for All
Blogs & Commentary
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Why ‘campus infrastructures for expression’ matter for new college students
