Princetonians for Free Speech launch a new survey to measure the success of free speech advocacy – Foundation for Individual Rights in Education

In other words, Princetons culture for free expression is getting worse, and a large portion of Princeton students feel intimidated by the idea of sharing their opinions on issues considered controversial.

Beyond students self-reported hesitancy to share their opinions, the survey reveals that Princeton students support for free speech culture is tenuous at best. For example, when asked which best describes their view of what speech should be allowed on campus, about half of students (48%) said that any speech that uses discriminatory language or that a group or class of persons finds offensive or hurtful should not be allowed.

Just 30% said all speech that would be protected by the First Amendment should be allowed.

Princeton students also expressed a willingness to censor not only visiting speakers, but also their own classmates: 40% of students said that an athletic team should be able to deny a spot to, or suspend, a student who expresses views others find offensive.

PFS cofounder Ed Yingling noted that these actions against students would clearly violate the universitys rules, yet many students showed a surprising willingness to punish their fellow students for expressing unpopular opinions.

In more positive news, students seem to be taking notice of Princeton President Christopher L. Eisgrubers recent free speech-affirming statements. In FIREs 2022 College Free Speech Rankings, 27% of students surveyed said that Princetons stance on free speech was not very or not at all clear, compared to 12% in the PFS survey done a year later.

Still, as Yingling said, and as much of the other survey data indicates, There is a huge gap between the rhetoric and the reality; most Princeton students neither support nor understand basic free speech principles. Indeed, just 18% of students said they were very familiar with Princetons free speech rules.

Yingling desires to provide opportunities for students to discover that free speech protections are meant to benefit them by ensuring their right to learn, ask questions, and express themselves openly.

To reverse this trend in the coming years, alumni have their work cut out for them. Whatever it takes, well be standing with them for the expressive rights of the Princeton community.

Despite gaps in student knowledge about free expression, not all hope is lost. Students reported a strong desire to witness open debate on campus:

The marching orders for Princeton University and the Princeton Free Speech Alliance are straightforward: Host on-campus debates that show the power of dialogue through disagreements.

Already, Yingling has pledged, on behalf of PFS, that the organization will continue to do its part to improve the climate for free speech on campus by supporting faculty and students who exercise free speech, providing educational materials to students, and sponsoring programs and debates that model open discourse.

To follow up on verbal commitments to free expression by Princetons president and the schools adoption of the Chicago Statement an excellent free speech commitment for colleges and universities Princeton should consider revising its speech codes. The university still receives FIREs worst, red light, rating because its Guidelines for Compliance with the Acceptable Use Policy both clearly and substantially restrict freedom of speech.

To reverse this trend in the coming years, alumni have their work cut out for them. Whatever it takes, well be standing with them for the expressive rights of the Princeton community.

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Princetonians for Free Speech launch a new survey to measure the success of free speech advocacy - Foundation for Individual Rights in Education