With A Little Summer Work, College Administrators Can Set the Stage for Civil Disagreement in the Fall
Colleges and universities nationwide struggled to respond to student protests this past academic year. And this fall may prove even more challenging with the 2024 election season and the first anniversary of the October 7th attacks in the Middle East. The good news is there are steps that schools can take over the summer that are not just compatible with freedoms of speech, thought, and association — but are essential for the fulfillment of the mission of higher education.
First, schools need to craft and communicate clear, reasonable, and simple rules.
A quick online search of regulations regarding free expression and demonstrations at public and private colleges across the nation shows a hodgepodge of policies. At public universities, there are often additional links to technical state regulations which add to the confusion. Our advice to college leaders: make sure all students at your institution receive easy-to-read and unambiguous summaries of all university policies. And be sure to explain how the rules work to ensure the safety of all while promoting free speech.