Research
Nearly all top U.S. colleges maintain at least one speech-restrictive policy, but the sharpest finding is not the prevalence of formal codes — it is that "yellow light" vagueness has replaced outright bans as the dominant mechanism, giving administrators wide informal discretion that policy audits miss, while student confidence in free speech has collapsed 30 points since 2016. The central unresolved tension is whether speech restrictions help or harm marginalized students: structural-inequality scholars cite measurable gains in Dalit, Black, and other marginalized students' participation where targeted protections exist, while free-expression advocates argue the same codes chill heterodox voices and ultimately hurt those they intend to protect — a dispute that is partly empirical and partly a values conflict between formal and substantive equality. A finding largely absent from the U.S. policy debate is that where inclusion safeguards are co-designed with affected communities rather than imposed administratively — as in international cases from India, South Africa, and Uganda — participation expands rather than contracts, suggesting the design process may matter more than the content of any specific rule.
The 2025 Spotlight on Speech Codes report marks the first time that the number of green light schools outnumbers the number of red light schools.
FIRE surveyed 392 schools for this report and found that 65% maintain severely restrictive speech codes--policies that clearly and substantially prohibit ...
As of 2024, at least 23 states had adopted Campus Free Speech Protection laws, affirming the rights of college students at public universities to free speech.
Fourth, tolerance of hate-speech on campuses is especially harmful. Tolerance of racist speech harms the goals of inclusion, education ...
Presented by FIRE and College Pulse, the 2026 College Free Speech Rankings is the largest survey of campus free expression ever performed. Explore Rankings.
FIRE's annual review of our Spotlight database of speech codes reveals most schools maintain policies that infringe on free speech.
Calling for the genocide of Jews, or of any people, is hate speech that is incompatible with American values and the U.S. Constitution. As Americans, we cherish ...
. Such restrictions deprive students of their right to invite speech they wish to hear, debate speech with which they disagree, and protest ...
The New School encourages free expression and protects academic freedom, which are central principles to the mission of higher education and New School values.
Both were clearly hurried into print in response to widely publicized campus free-speech controversies involving divisive outside speakers, hate speech, and ...
This blog series aims to unpack the tensions between campus inclusion and freedom of expression through president and student survey data and commentary.
New York magazine's Andrew Sullivan and New York University's Jonathan Haidt argue, yes, there is a campus free speech crisis. ... Debate: 'Is ...
Heterodox Academy at the University of Toronto hosted a discussion with Nadine Strossen, Professor of Law Emerita at New York Law School and ...
The current debate is rooted in controversies surrounding “political correctness” and campus speech codes dating back to the 1980s.
This Article argues that this prioritizing of free speech over equality on campus is mistaken. Equality should often be favored over free expression in campus ...
We find that hateful speech is prevalent in college subreddits, and 25% of them show greater hateful speech than non-college subreddits.
Indicators of hate crimes include the offender and victim having differing identities, the use of hate speech, hate symbols, or the victim's ...
On a campus that is free and open, no idea can be banned or forbidden. No viewpoint or message may be deemed so hateful or disturbing that it may not be ...
One way professors can ensure students feel comfortable in class is to include trigger warnings before teaching graphic material.
How can academics broaden viewpoint diversity on their own campuses? ... That was the message of three professors speaking at a special Heterodox ...
Whatever your views, he and Glenn's discussion will be sure to challenge your assumptions about race, class, and identity in America. You can learn about and ...
Her primary research interests include development economics and cultural economics. She writes and teaches about indigenous markets in Sub-Saharan Africa. Dr.
For example, Stanford University adopted a speech code to prevent discriminatory harassment based on "hatred or contempt for students, faculty, or university ...
Check out the most comprehensive report on free speech on college campuses as FIRE analyzes national and campus-based free speech trends across 257 colleges and ...
Just 5% of students rate their school as “poor” at promoting free speech, with most of the rest saying it is “only fair” (19%). CHART 1. Students' Perceptions ...
FIRE's Campus Disinvitation Database catalogs attempts to “disinvite” speakers from campus appearances.
Free-speech zones refer to areas on college campuses and at certain public events, such as political conventions, specifically designated for protesters and ...
And perhaps the most important tension: our students do not necessarily view this commitment to free speech and expression in traditional ways.
At the broadest level, the results of an international survey of Open Dialogue services are presented, and the diverse variants of this approach and its ...
The new information economics challenges the faith in free markets reflected in the writings and thinking of early law and economics scholars, and— though less ...
The podcast features thought leaders tackling the most pressing issues impacting free expression and democracy on campus and beyond.
The framework of inclusive excellence can inform discussion inside the boardroom and throughout the campus community. A board commitment to inclusive excellence ...
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/jonathan-haidt-on-the-moral-roots-of-liberals-and-conversatives Psychologist Jonathan Haidt ...
A university president and faculty senate speaker find common ground in addressing questions of free speech.
Title IX and Sex Discrimination. Title IX prohibits sex-based discrimination in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance.
Elizabeth's project is a research study exploring college students' moral reasoning around issues of free expression in the classroom.
By Mark C. Niles. This Article analyzes Critical Race Theory scholars' influence on college campus speech regulations, and how those ...
Free speech on campus is under continuous threat at many of America's colleges. Campus Rights Advocacy team provides free assistance to students and faculty ...
Black students in US K-12 schools continue to experience systemic racism that undermines their sense of belonging–a critical factor in academic success, well- ...
After the Stop Cop City protest, many students who supported. Palestinian rights, were affiliated with Palestinians and/or perceived to be ...
The US Supreme Court in its 2024–25 term continued to robustly protect religious liberty under the First Amendment but retreated from core First Amendment ...
Bias Reporting Systems. Click on the states below to see which schools have bias reporting systems. Select State.
Presidents overwhelmingly indicated that it is more important for colleges to allow students to be exposed to all types of speech (96 percent) ...
Affirmative action policies have historically aimed to increase the representation of underrepresented groups in sectors such as higher ...
Some scientists believe that human-produced carbon dioxide is causing Earth to warm dangerously. This view is supported by some ice core studies. However, ...
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