UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement
@ucfreespeech.bsky.social
The Center explores the intersection of expression, engagement & democratic learning and considers what can be done to restore trust in the value of free speech
https://freespeechcenter.universityofcalifornia.edu/
https://freespeechcenter.universityofcalifornia.edu/
Pinned
🚨New #SpeechMatters podcast episode out now!
Tune into “Building Campus Cultures for Constructive Dialogue” with guest host and former fellow Alex Kappus and guest speaker Caroline Mehl from the Constructive Dialogue Institute.
🎧 buff.ly/N051reN
Tune into “Building Campus Cultures for Constructive Dialogue” with guest host and former fellow Alex Kappus and guest speaker Caroline Mehl from the Constructive Dialogue Institute.
🎧 buff.ly/N051reN
National Advisory Board Co-Chair Dean Erwin Chemerinsky urges the courts and the Supreme Court to be the guardrail of our democracy. 🔗
Berkeley Law Dean Urges SCOTUS to Be “Guardrail” for Democracy
Erwin Chemerinsky capped this week’s APLU conference by explaining higher ed’s financial vulnerabilities that the Trump administration is exploiting and arguing that the high court needs to “check”…
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November 25, 2025 at 4:04 PM
National Advisory Board Co-Chair Dean Erwin Chemerinsky urges the courts and the Supreme Court to be the guardrail of our democracy. 🔗
The Department of Justice said it will investigate the University of California, Berkeley following a campus event hosted by Turning Point USA. Read more:
Justice Department to Investigate Protests at Turning Point Event at Berkeley
The announcement came a day after protesters confronted attendees of a campus event hosted by Turning Point USA, the conservative group founded by Charlie Kirk.
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November 24, 2025 at 4:01 PM
The Department of Justice said it will investigate the University of California, Berkeley following a campus event hosted by Turning Point USA. Read more:
In Florida, faculty at all public universities must now post syllabi and reading lists online, with some saying the move is designed to chill academic freedom. 🔗
Fla. Board Says Syllabi, Reading Lists Must Be Posted Publicly
Faculty at some Florida public universities argue the new policy is less about transparency for students and more about chilling academic freedom.
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November 20, 2025 at 4:04 PM
In Florida, faculty at all public universities must now post syllabi and reading lists online, with some saying the move is designed to chill academic freedom. 🔗
A Federal judge has ruled that the Department of Education violated the First Amendment in partisan out-of-office messages. 👇
Judge Orders ED Remove Partisan Out-of-Office Messages
A federal judge sided with the American Federation of Government Employees in its challenge to the Trump administration sending partisan, automated out-of-office messages from Department of Education…
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November 19, 2025 at 4:02 PM
A Federal judge has ruled that the Department of Education violated the First Amendment in partisan out-of-office messages. 👇
Former fellow John Wilson writes about a partial victory for freedom of the press at Indiana University. ⬇️
Partial Victory for Freedom of the Press at Indiana U
While we need to celebrate the win, we also need to recognize how incomplete and temporary it was.
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November 18, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Former fellow John Wilson writes about a partial victory for freedom of the press at Indiana University. ⬇️
The push and pull over free speech across higher education continues to evolve with enforcement actions drawing accusations of political selectivity. 🔗
Free Speech for Me, Not for Thee: The Campus Double Standard | Insight Into Academia
Universities confront conflicting pressures over open dialogue, free speech on campus.
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November 17, 2025 at 4:02 PM
The push and pull over free speech across higher education continues to evolve with enforcement actions drawing accusations of political selectivity. 🔗
🚨New #SpeechMatters podcast episode out now!
Tune into “Building Campus Cultures for Constructive Dialogue” with guest host and former fellow Alex Kappus and guest speaker Caroline Mehl from the Constructive Dialogue Institute.
🎧 buff.ly/N051reN
Tune into “Building Campus Cultures for Constructive Dialogue” with guest host and former fellow Alex Kappus and guest speaker Caroline Mehl from the Constructive Dialogue Institute.
🎧 buff.ly/N051reN
November 13, 2025 at 7:01 PM
🚨New #SpeechMatters podcast episode out now!
Tune into “Building Campus Cultures for Constructive Dialogue” with guest host and former fellow Alex Kappus and guest speaker Caroline Mehl from the Constructive Dialogue Institute.
🎧 buff.ly/N051reN
Tune into “Building Campus Cultures for Constructive Dialogue” with guest host and former fellow Alex Kappus and guest speaker Caroline Mehl from the Constructive Dialogue Institute.
🎧 buff.ly/N051reN
A federal judge warned that the Trump administration’s pressure campaign is undermining academic freedom at the University of California. 👇
Trump Pressure Risking Free Speech at University of California, Judge Warns
A federal judge said that faculty members were being affected in their teaching and research by the Trump administration’s pressure campaign.
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November 13, 2025 at 4:05 PM
A federal judge warned that the Trump administration’s pressure campaign is undermining academic freedom at the University of California. 👇
“The truth-seeking function of universities does not work properly without the presence of diverse viewpoints.”
Read why viewpoint diversity is essential to the mission of a university: 🔗
Read why viewpoint diversity is essential to the mission of a university: 🔗
You Can’t Pursue Truth Without Viewpoint Diversity (opinion)
This is what we wish critics of the concept on both the left and right would understand.
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November 12, 2025 at 4:07 PM
“The truth-seeking function of universities does not work properly without the presence of diverse viewpoints.”
Read why viewpoint diversity is essential to the mission of a university: 🔗
Read why viewpoint diversity is essential to the mission of a university: 🔗
University of California President James B. Milliken writes about how science funding and immigration fuel America’s innovation - and how they’re now at risk. Read the op-ed. ⤵️
Contributor: Science funding and immigration fuel America's innovation. They're at risk
The symbiotic relationship between the federal government and our universities — one that has delivered so much for America, its people and its economy — is now at risk.
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November 10, 2025 at 4:02 PM
University of California President James B. Milliken writes about how science funding and immigration fuel America’s innovation - and how they’re now at risk. Read the op-ed. ⤵️
Are current interpretations of the First Amendment sufficient to safeguard free expression in the digital age? Watch two prominent scholars debate the issue in this Cato Free Speech Debate:
Cato Free Speech Debate
Are current interpretations of the First Amendment sufficient to safeguard free expression in the digital age? To mark Free Speech Week, we are hosting two prominent scholars to debate this issue on October...
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November 7, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Are current interpretations of the First Amendment sufficient to safeguard free expression in the digital age? Watch two prominent scholars debate the issue in this Cato Free Speech Debate:
🚨1 week away!
📢 Register for “The Erosion of Academic Freedom in the US - And What To Do About It?” on November 13 at 12:30 pm PST with Steve Brint and Tom Ginsburg:
📢 Register for “The Erosion of Academic Freedom in the US - And What To Do About It?” on November 13 at 12:30 pm PST with Steve Brint and Tom Ginsburg:
The Erosion of Academic Freedom in the US
Join HxA at UC Riverside for a discussion between Steve Brint and Tom Ginsburg on the erosion of academic freedom in the United States and what to do about it.
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November 6, 2025 at 8:02 PM
🚨1 week away!
📢 Register for “The Erosion of Academic Freedom in the US - And What To Do About It?” on November 13 at 12:30 pm PST with Steve Brint and Tom Ginsburg:
📢 Register for “The Erosion of Academic Freedom in the US - And What To Do About It?” on November 13 at 12:30 pm PST with Steve Brint and Tom Ginsburg:
The University of Virginia has reached a federal deal with the Trump administration. 🔗
U. of Virginia Will Adopt Trump’s Interpretation of DEI in Federal Deal
The university has pledged to follow government guidance arguing that a wide range of diversity-related efforts and programs are illegal discrimination.
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November 6, 2025 at 4:05 PM
The University of Virginia has reached a federal deal with the Trump administration. 🔗
Three nonprofit legal organizations stay busy amid the Trump administration’s assault on higher ed and DEI.
Amid Trump’s Assault on Free Speech, Advocates Stay Busy
Three nonprofit legal organizations say their caseload has ramped up significantly since Trump took office. But so has public support for their work.
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November 5, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Three nonprofit legal organizations stay busy amid the Trump administration’s assault on higher ed and DEI.
📣Tune in today at 10am PT/ 1pm ET for “(No) Shame in Speaking: Creating Space for Courageous Conversation.” Register now! buff.ly/1s7LXla
November 4, 2025 at 4:31 PM
📣Tune in today at 10am PT/ 1pm ET for “(No) Shame in Speaking: Creating Space for Courageous Conversation.” Register now! buff.ly/1s7LXla
Read how the Trump administration’s compact would violate academic freedom and freedom of expression in this op-ed: 👇
How the Compact Curtails Academic Freedom (opinion)
The Trump administration’s proposed compact with colleges would violate academic freedom and freedom of expression in three broad areas.
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November 4, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Read how the Trump administration’s compact would violate academic freedom and freedom of expression in this op-ed: 👇
International students are drawn to American values of academic freedom and open discourse but campus censorship puts this at risk. 🔗
Campus Censorship Puts American Soft Power at Risk
International students are drawn to America’s academic freedom and open discourse. But faculty firings and topic restrictions on campus are undermining the very freedoms that attract them—putting…
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November 3, 2025 at 4:03 PM
International students are drawn to American values of academic freedom and open discourse but campus censorship puts this at risk. 🔗
Responses from colleges in regards to Trump’s compact suggest a desire among higher ed leaders to enter into dialogue with the White House. ⬇️
Many Colleges Have Turned Down Trump’s Compact. Now Some Are Willing to Talk.
The openness to talking to the White House points to the continued division in the sector about how best to interact with the Trump administration.
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October 30, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Responses from colleges in regards to Trump’s compact suggest a desire among higher ed leaders to enter into dialogue with the White House. ⬇️
Texas governor has appointed a regent from Texas Southern University to serve as the state’s first higher ed ombudsman. 🔗
Texas Governor Appoints Ombudsman Who Will Oversee Higher Ed
Texas governor Greg Abbott picked a regent from Texas Southern University to serve as the state’s first higher ed ombudsman, who will ensure state universities adhere to recent laws that restricted…
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October 30, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Texas governor has appointed a regent from Texas Southern University to serve as the state’s first higher ed ombudsman. 🔗
When protecting free speech becomes a regulatory mandate, does true academic freedom still exist?
Explore the debate👇
Explore the debate👇
The assault on academic freedom
Is the universities regulator protecting free expression, or are some beliefs more protected than others?
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October 29, 2025 at 7:05 PM
When protecting free speech becomes a regulatory mandate, does true academic freedom still exist?
Explore the debate👇
Explore the debate👇
Former fellow Neal Hutchens discusses institutional and faculty autonomy.
Read more in his op-ed in Inside Higher Ed:
Read more in his op-ed in Inside Higher Ed:
A Great Divergence Across States on Autonomy (opinion)
As some states move to regulate public colleges more like K–12 schools, we may be witnessing the start of an epic natural experiment in governance, Neal H. Hutchens writes.
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October 29, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Former fellow Neal Hutchens discusses institutional and faculty autonomy.
Read more in his op-ed in Inside Higher Ed:
Read more in his op-ed in Inside Higher Ed:
A Texas district court judge ordered the University of Texas system to hold off on enforcing new limits on student expression. 🔗
Judge Halts UT’s Comprehensive Ban on Student Speech
A Texas district court judge on Tuesday ordered the University of Texas system to hold off on enforcing new, sweeping limits on student expression that would prohibit any “expressive activity”…
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October 28, 2025 at 7:04 PM
A Texas district court judge ordered the University of Texas system to hold off on enforcing new limits on student expression. 🔗
Explore this brief legal analysis of the Department of Education’s proposed Compact - what it means for free speech, academic freedom and institutional funding. 👇
A Brief Legal Analysis of the Department of Education’s Proposed Compact for Higher Education
Blog
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October 28, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Explore this brief legal analysis of the Department of Education’s proposed Compact - what it means for free speech, academic freedom and institutional funding. 👇
“These principles must be defended even when doing so is inconvenient or costly.”
Read this op-ed on defending civil dialogue and liberal education in The New York Times.
Read this op-ed on defending civil dialogue and liberal education in The New York Times.
Opinion | I Resigned as Manhattan’s U.S. Attorney. Law Schools Are Missing the Point of My Story.
A principle is hollow if it’s not defended under pressure.
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October 27, 2025 at 7:03 PM
“These principles must be defended even when doing so is inconvenient or costly.”
Read this op-ed on defending civil dialogue and liberal education in The New York Times.
Read this op-ed on defending civil dialogue and liberal education in The New York Times.
Former fellow Neal Hutchens discusses the First Amendment and what it doesn’t protect when it comes to professors and politics. 🔗
What the First Amendment doesn’t protect when it comes to professors speaking out on politics
(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.)
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October 27, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Former fellow Neal Hutchens discusses the First Amendment and what it doesn’t protect when it comes to professors and politics. 🔗