Did You Know? Survey Finds Trouble in Campus Support for Free Speech

Oct 8, 2020 · · No Comments on Did You Know? Survey Finds Trouble in Campus Support for Free Speech

The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) came out with the largest survey of students and campus life, showing the predictable divisions along class, political beliefs, and gender. However, overall, it painted a scenario that is mostly positive, and policy reforms can fix the drawbacks. FIRE surveyed 20,000 students across 55 institutions. Female students … Continue reading “Did You Know? Survey Finds Trouble in Campus Support for Free Speech”

Censoring a Thousand Words: Universities Must Cease Punishing Students for Their Online Pictures

Sep 18, 2020 · · No Comments on Censoring a Thousand Words: Universities Must Cease Punishing Students for Their Online Pictures

In 1980, Apple founder Steve Jobs called the computer “a bicycle for our minds.” Today, the advent of smartphones gives individuals the power to share images instantaneously with the rest of the world, often accompanied by an admonishment to college-bound students to “watch what you post online.” That is merited advice, as colleges and universities … Continue reading “Censoring a Thousand Words: Universities Must Cease Punishing Students for Their Online Pictures”

Mental Health and the Professoriate During the Pandemic

Aug 24, 2020 · · No Comments on Mental Health and the Professoriate During the Pandemic

Remember the stereotype of the lazy college professor living an almost stress-free life while enjoying tenure, virtually a sinecure, often supported by taxpayer dollars? Tomes and articles identifying examples of this professor abound. Along with this job protection comes the opportunity to impose political correctness with impunity. Try telling that story to true contrarians. For … Continue reading “Mental Health and the Professoriate During the Pandemic”

Did You Know? Students, Faculty Punished for Speech on Social Media

Aug 13, 2020 · · No Comments on Did You Know? Students, Faculty Punished for Speech on Social Media

Fordham University student Austin Tong has found himself in hot water over a protest picture on Instagram. In it, he posed with a gun to commemorate the 31st anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre. The private university in New York City found that Tong’s post, as well as another where he criticized the response of … Continue reading “Did You Know? Students, Faculty Punished for Speech on Social Media”

Did You Know? More Than 50 Colleges Have Embraced Free Speech Protections

Jul 11, 2019 · · No Comments on Did You Know? More Than 50 Colleges Have Embraced Free Speech Protections

The Chicago Statement, or the Report of the Committee on Freedom of Expression, is a 2014 statement defining the University of Chicago’s stance on freedom of speech. The statement set a strong precedent favoring free speech protections when many colleges were moving away from such protections and capitulating to student-led mobs who demanded “offensive” speakers … Continue reading “Did You Know? More Than 50 Colleges Have Embraced Free Speech Protections”

How NC State Became Free-Speech Friendly

Apr 15, 2019 · · No Comments on How NC State Became Free-Speech Friendly

Free speech on North Carolina’s campuses has come a long way in the last decade. North Carolina State University is the most recent school to earn a “green light” from the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) for its speech policies. Nearly ten years ago, when the Martin Center partnered with FIRE to take … Continue reading “How NC State Became Free-Speech Friendly”

Generation Z: The Intolerant Ones

Jul 27, 2018 · · No Comments on Generation Z: The Intolerant Ones

The post-millennials have arrived. As the oldest millennials turn 37, demographers have designated a new generation for those born after 1996, Generation Z. The oldest members of this cohort just graduated from college and had their first (legal) alcoholic beverages. As they wind their way through college, post-millennials will change higher education, just as previous … Continue reading “Generation Z: The Intolerant Ones”

Second Annual Policy Banquet

Oct 11, 2017 · · No Comments on Second Annual Policy Banquet

Join the Martin Center for our annual policy banquet on Wednesday, October 11 at City Club Raleigh in Raleigh, North Carolina.       Our guest speaker will be Robert Shibley, executive director of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE). Shibley’s talk will provide insight into due process on campus – a higher … Continue reading “Second Annual Policy Banquet”

Everyone is Innocent Until Proven Guilty, Except College Students

Sep 25, 2017 · · 15 Comments on Everyone is Innocent Until Proven Guilty, Except College Students

When it comes to defending themselves against accusations, college students are fighting an uphill battle. Today, students accused of misconduct are often subjected to long and invasive investigation processes without the right to legal representation, to question witnesses, or to be presumed innocent until proven guilty—all basic due process procedures to which every student should … Continue reading “Everyone is Innocent Until Proven Guilty, Except College Students”

Student Free Speech Suffers a Defeat

Jul 21, 2017 · · 10 Comments on Student Free Speech Suffers a Defeat

Since launching its Stand Up for Free Speech project in 2014, the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) has had a great deal of success in defeating college officials when they interfere with the free speech of students. But you can’t win them all, and a recent decision went against FIRE and the students … Continue reading “Student Free Speech Suffers a Defeat”