Campus Speech and Academic Freedom: A Guide for Difficult Times

by Erwin Chemerinsky & Howard Gillman

An examination of the new complexities arising around campus speech, and expert guidance for navigating them

In their earlier book, Free Speech on Campus, Erwin Chemerinsky and Howard Gillman argued that colleges and universities should permit the expression of the widest possible range of views. Six tumultuous years later, many issues have arisen that that principle, while still valid, does not adequately address. To what extent must an institution provide expensive security and logistical support for an extremely controversial speaker? Should colleges and universities defend faculty, students, or administrators who find themselves the victims of a social media firestorm? How should they handle the expression of controversial views or the use of offensive language in classrooms and lecture halls? May academic departments or other administrative units—or an entire school—take explicit positions on controversial political issues? What rules should exist around campus protests? The sensible stance that colleges and universities should not engage in viewpoint discrimination still leaves a great deal under debate.

Campus Speech and Academic Freedom, written by two law professors and university administrators who have confronted these questions for years, draws on their extensive real-world experience to help campus leaders, campus communities, government officials, and the public better understand and address the contentious issues surrounding campus speech.