How Tall is the Ivory Tower?How Tall is the Ivory Tower?

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Regulating Speech on University Campuses

Regulating Speech on University Campuses

Photo: L.A. Cicero

The First Amendment

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me!”

• Schenck v. United States (1919) - “clear and present danger”

• Chaplinsky v. New Hampshire (1942) - “Fighting words”

Or could they?

“Hate Speech”

• speech intended to degrade, intimidate, or incite violence or prejudicial action against a person or group of people based on their race, gender, age, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, moral or political views, etc.

Speech Codes

• Hostile environment?

• Equal access?

What is the role of a university?

• Stanford founding grant: "to qualify students for personal success and direct usefulness in life; and to promote the public welfare by exercising an influence on behalf of humanity and civilization, teaching the blessings of liberty regulated by law, and inculcating love and reverence for the great principles of government as derived from the inalienable rights of man to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

• Robert Richards

The 90’s

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•1990: “Fundamental Standard Interpretation: Free Expression and Discriminatory Harassment”

•1991: UWM Post v. Board of Regents of University of Wisconsin

•1992: R.A.V. v. City of St. Paul

•1992: Leonard Law

•1995: Corry v. Stanford

The Case Against Speech Codes

• Leonard Law (1992)

• Difficulty of defining “fighting words”

• Orthodoxy of popular opinion

• Counter hate speech with speech

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So… Where Are We Today?So… Where Are We Today?

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From: www.toothpastefordinner.com, by Drew

Free Speech areas

Campus Disruptions

• Right to express views• Concurrent obligation

Sexual Harassment•“neither legally protected expression nor the proper exercise of academic freedom; it compromises the integrity of the University, its tradition of intellectual freedom and the trust placed in its members.”

Discussion questions

• Current university policy - still a “speech code?”• Is there still a role for punitive action against speech?• Sexual harassment - different from hate speech?• Orthodoxy of opinion on campus?