Dive Brief:

• The top faculty committee at the University of Minnesota has developed a series of recommendations for protecting speech on campus, including the creation of a “free-speech advocate” role that would monitor university investigations of speech.
• Dale Carpenter, a professor at Minnesota’s law school and member of the committee, writes for The Washington Post that the recommendations follow investigations of faculty by equity and diversity officers and protester interruption of campus speakers.
• Carpenter says the Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action and Human Resources offices have carried out investigations without recognizing the value of free speech, even if it is offensive, and the recommendations urge a different tact, as well as additional procedural safeguards for those being investigated.

Dive Insight:

The idea that free speech on campus is under threat has been of particular concern this academic year, when more students are funneling their frustrations with campus climate issues and racial exclusion into vocal protests. Some say this activism by marginalized students represents students finding their own voices and exercising their rights to free speech, but others argue their actions necessarily limit the free speech of those with whom they disagree. In responding to the wave of protests in the fall and continued activism by students, college and university leaders will have to strike a delicate balance between creating inclusive communities and protecting the rights of all members of the campus community. Free speech and hate speech may not always be so far apart.