Student leaders, whether in student government, clubs and organizations, or residence life, may find themselves at the center of campus free speech controversies–like when a polarizing speaker is invited to campus, or a protest is shut down by administrators. In these moments, peers may look to you for reassurance, administrators may invite your input, and the broader community may scrutinize your actions.
You may not be able to remain fully “neutral,” but you can strive for transparency, fairness, and a principled approach. Your role is not just to issue statements but to foster dialogue, represent the diversity of student experiences, and help maintain trust in the campus community. Here are seven ways you can maintain that trust.
1. Articulate Values
Create a statement of values to guide your decisions and communications. Engage a broad range of student voices, not just your immediate circle, through town halls, online surveys, listening sessions, and one-on-one meetings with leaders from diverse student organizations and identity groups.
This process helps you anticipate differing viewpoints before a crisis hits and creates a shared foundation for decision-making. When a controversy arises, return to these values to decide whether to issue a statement, how to frame it, and what next steps to take. Document your process so future student leaders can learn from and build upon your work.
Case Study: Northwestern Student Government Reaffirms Free Speech and Viewpoint Diversity
In 2017, Northwestern University’s Associated Student Government passed a comprehensive resolution calling on the university to recommit to protecting free speech, defending academic freedom, resisting censorship pressures, and affirming the importance of intellectual and viewpoint diversity. A student senator spent months drafting the measure, drawing on lessons from earlier academic freedom controversies on campus involving two faculty members and broader concerns about how future conflicts might unfold.
The resolution was not triggered by a specific new incident, but was rather a proactive effort to set clear expectations and strengthen Northwestern’s expressive climate before any major controversy arose. PEN America views this as a strong example of how student leaders can work to articulate shared values in advance, and create a principled, transparent foundation to guide the campus community through future debates over speech and dissent.
2. Collaborate
When navigating free-speech controversies, student leaders should create coalitions that reflect a wide range of students on campus. These coalitions should be diverse in all areas including thought, lived experience, and communication style.
You should collaborate across lines of differences, encourage respectful disagreement, create structured opportunities for dialogue, and make sure decision-making processes are transparent and well-communicated.
Collaboration also means reaching beyond your own student organization and partnering with groups such as issue-specific clubs, academic centers, and residence hall councils to broaden your understanding of how different communities experience free speech issues.
Case Study: Southern Methodist University Student Senate Creates a “Free Speech Fund” to Support Campus Dialogue
In October 2025, Southern Methodist University’s Student Senate passed a resolution affirming protections for free speech while also creating a $10,000 “Free Speech Fund” to support student-led events promoting open debate. Students drafted this legislation after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, whose death inspired the bill’s authors. The resolution sparked significant debate among student government leadership about political messaging, neutrality, and whether or not the language of the bill risked excluding some members of the student body.
In the end, student senators from across the political spectrum managed to work through their concerns to pass the measure. PEN America views this effort as a solid example of how student leaders can work together to bridge their differences in order to improve access to resources that support free speech and academic dialogue on campus. Working through disagreements, engaging across ideological lines, and focusing on structural support for students to explore ideas and express themselves should be essential goals for students collaborating.
3. Advocate
As a student leader, you often have more direct communication channels with administrators than most students do. Use this access to advocate for fairness, transparency, and student inclusion in decision-making.
Represent your peers authentically, amplifying their experiences and concerns, not replacing them with your own opinions. Advocacy might look like meeting with administrators to share student perspectives on the free speech issue at hand, pushing for viewpoint-neutral funding and policies, or ensuring that marginalized students have a seat at the table when free speech policies are being discussed.
Case Study: George Washington University Student Government Backs Students’ Free Speech Rights During Protest Controversy
In May 2024 during the height of pro-Palestinian protests on campus, the George Washington University Student Government Association passed a resolution supporting students’ rights to free speech and peaceful protest after six demonstrators involved in an encampment were suspended and more than 30 student protesters were arrested. Student senators debated the measure and ultimately passed the resolution 20-6 including text condemning hate speech, expressing their firm support for students’ free speech rights, and calling out excessive disciplinary responses by the university.
The student sponsors emphasized that their bill was “not a political statement” but rather an affirmation of due process, safety, and student welfare, introduced amid a campus climate of differing views about the protests and broader Israel-Hamas war. PEN America recognizes this as an insightful case where student leaders advocated for fairness and transparency during a charged moment, while operating amid contested viewpoints and heightened tensions on campus.
4. Support
When there is free speech controversy, as a student leader, you should support your peers in fair, visible, and consistent ways. For student governments, ensure that funding and recognition for student groups are handled on a content-neutral basis, so no organization is penalized or privileged for its beliefs.
For other student leaders, support might mean connecting peers with campus resources, hosting dialogue events, helping resolve misunderstandings, or showing up to listen. Take every concern seriously and demonstrate that all voices are valued, even when disagreement runs deep.
5. Balance Your Role
As a student leader, you may feel pulled between peers, administrators, and your personal beliefs about free speech. Be clear about your role in each moment whether you are speaking as a peer, a representative, or an advocate and communicate that openly.
When engaging with administrators, remember you represent students, not the institution. Be collaborative but independent. Share a range of perspectives, especially those that may be underrepresented in formal decision-making spaces.
6. Prioritize Process Over Unanimity
Student leaders will not always agree on how best to navigate free speech controversies. When conflict arises, prioritize process over unanimity, make space for open discussion, use consensus or clear voting, and be transparent about the rationale for your decisions. Internal disagreement can be healthy if handled with respect and openness.
7. Respond
Just as administrators respond to speech-related controversies that shake the campus community, so can student leaders. Your response does not have to mirror that of the administration. You can chart your own path, guided by your peers’ experiences, your organization’s principles, and your shared commitment to dialogue.
Responses don’t have to be limited to public statements; consider any one of the following depending on time, capacity and resources:
- Host listening sessions or community dialogues.
- Collaborate with other organizations to create space for reflection.
- Offer support or solidarity to affected students or groups.
- Model respectful engagement even when others do not.
Special Considerations
Self-Care and Burnout
Leading through controversy is emotionally demanding and especially for students who might be new to navigating this level of disagreement. Set boundaries for your availability, delegate when possible, and seek support from mentors, advisors, or counseling services. Taking care of yourself is not a sign of weakness, it’s essential to effective student leadership.
Safety and Well-Being of Peers
If tensions escalate, coordinate with campus partners such as student affairs, safety, or counseling services to ensure affected students have access to resources and feel supported.
Addressing Barriers to Participation
Work intentionally to identify and address barriers that might prevent students from engaging with leadership or campus dialogue to address free speech conflicts. These may include:
- Cultural or social dynamics that make some students hesitant to speak up or run for leadership positions.
- Time and scheduling conflicts that exclude working students or caregivers.
- Meeting spaces that are inaccessible or unwelcoming.
- Financial barriers, such as unpaid leadership roles or required dues.
Questions To Consider
- Have we established shared values around dialogue and free expression before controversy arises?
- Who is represented in our student leadership conversations and who isn’t?
- How do we make sure our decisions (like funding or space allocation) are viewpoint-neutral and transparent?
- Are we advocating for students’ needs while maintaining our independence from administrators?
- What systems of support do I have for my own well-being and sustainability as a leader?
Disclaimer: The information on this webpage is provided for general informational purposes only, and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information contained in this post should be construed as legal advice from PEN America or the individual author, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter.
Campus Free Speech Guide
Get principled guidance for how campuses can best remain open to all voices.
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The Law & Campus Free Speech
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Hateful Speech and Expression on Campus
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Speakers and Events on Campus
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Faculty Speech and Expression
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Campus Climate
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Protests on Campus
