On college campuses nationwide, some protestors have effectively halted controversial speakers from expressing their thoughts and viewpoints. In April of last year, protesters at San Francisco State University disrupted a speaking event for Riley Gaines, a former NCAA swimmer, who advocates against boys and transgender girls from participating in girls’ sports teams.
The University of Michigan’s Board of Regents recently affirmed its commitment to protecting controversial speakers on campus. On Tuesday, Jan. 16, the board updated its free speech policy — two months after pro-Palestinian protestors caused disruptions at a university administrative building, resulting in injuries to police officers and numerous trespassing arrests.
In response to complaints from Michigan students about the suppression of speech, the ACLU of Michigan intervened in December. Following these events, the University’s Board of Regents convened a special meeting, unanimously voting to update the school’s free speech policy. The board emphasized the importance of free inquiry and expression, acknowledging that encountering differing ideas is integral to the academic community.
The new guidelines provide protections for invited speakers expressing their views and opinions, as well as safeguards against protestors attempting to disrupt or intimidate any speech or performance. University groups are now permitted to designate specific areas on campus for their speaker events.
The guidelines also recognize protestors’ rights to express opposition to controversial viewpoints in appropriate ways outside the venue. Regent Ron Weiser emphasized the importance of free speech as giving people the choice to listen or not.
Regent Mark Bernstein declared unequivocally that “cancel culture is dead at the University of Michigan.” The board underlined that the new policy does not protect speech or conduct violating the law or university policy, including bullying, defamation, property destruction, discrimination, harassment, violence or threats.
Despite recent free speech challenges on campuses, Regent Chair Sarah Hubbard stated that the university has been working to update the policy since University President Santa Ono’s appointment.
The board highlighted the collaborative input from regents, university officials, the faculty senate and community members in crafting the new policy, which will be implemented across all University of Michigan campuses by the General Counsel.
