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FreeSpeechandInclusivityonCollegeCampuses

DR.JASON M.SHEPARDCHAIR ANDASSOCIATE PROFESSOR , DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICAT IONSCAL IFORNIA STATE UNIVERS ITY, FULLERTON

Osher LifelongLearningInstitute(OLLI)EclecticLectureSeries|April11,2017

Overview

§Casestudy– OrangeCoastCollege§Myresearchinterestsandbackground§SomerecentCaliforniahighereducationcontroversies§Theoriesandapproaches– irreconcilabledifferences?§Pathsforward?

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Recentheadlines:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BHF4FYj1ZA

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InitialThoughts?

SomeinitialquestionsWhenispoliticalspeechappropriateintheclassroom?

Whendofacultycrossthelinefromexpressingpoliticalopinionstoproselyting?

Whataretherightsandresponsibilitiesoffacultyandstudentsinclassroomdiscussionsinvolvingpolitics?

Howaretheserightsandresponsibilitiesdefinedandcontested?

Whatresolutionsarepossiblewiththeserightsandresponsibilitiesconflict?

Howdonewtechnologies,suchascellphonevideorecorders,transformclassroomsandtheexpressionsinthem?

Howdovideoclipsconveymessagesandmeaning– anddotheyrevealorhideimportantcontext?

Howshouldcollegeshandleculturewars?

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MyBackground

AboutmeChairandassociateprofessor,DepartmentofCommunications

FormeradviserandcurrentpublisherofTheDailyTitan

Teachcoursesinjournalismandmedialaw,historyandethics

Researchagenda:theroleoftheFirstAmendmentinAmericandemocracy,journalismandculture

Authorofmedialawtextbook,MajorPrinciplesofMediaLaw

Author,PrivilegingthePress:ConfidentialSources,JournalismEthicsandtheFirstAmendment

NextbookprojectonfirstgayrightscasetobedecidedbytheSupremeCourt,involvingcensorshipofLosAngelesmagazinein1950s

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FacultyspeechcodeatU.ofWisconsin§ AdHocCommitteeonProhibitedHarassmentLegislation(“FacultySpeechCodeCommittee”)

§ Overtwoacademicyears,thecommitteemet23times,andsixsubcommitteesheldmanyadditionalmeetings.Therewere11faculty,4staff,3students,1administrator,onthecommittee

§ Iledstudentadvocacyagainstthespeechcode§ Demeaningtosuggestminoritystudentsneededextraprotection§ Studentsdeservetohaveunfetteredopinionsfromprofessors

§ Eventually,facultydecidedtoabolishspeechcode

Questionsexamined1. Isapolicyregulatingprofessionalconductinregardtosexualharassmentandexpressionin

instructionalsettingsnecessaryand/orappropriate?

2. Whatshouldbethebalancebetweenprotectingacademicfreedomandensuringalearningenvironmentthatiscomfortableforadiversestudentbody?

3. Doesthelanguageofthecurrentlegislationand/orFPPChapter9maketheprocedurestobefollowedininvokingthefacultylegislationsufficientlyclearandequitable?

4. Istheexistinglanguageunconstitutionallyvagueand/oroverbroad?

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Somelegal/policystandardsForspeechtobeconsideredtobeoutofbounds,do:

§wordshavetobeintentionallydegrading§ judgedbytheaveragememoryofthecommunity,nottheminoritygroup

§withconvincingclarity§andnoconceivablepedagogicaljustification?

OurargumentsagainstthespeechcodeWehaveahardtimebelievingthereisaproblemonthiscampuswithoffensivespeechbyfacultymembers.

The“SpeechCode”hasneverbeenusedinanydisciplinaryactionsinceitsadoptionin1989.

Therearemoreeffectivewaystocombatbigotryoncampus.

TheMajority’sproposalwillleadtounpredictableandinconsistentoutcomesbecauseitistoovague.

TheMajorityistooquicktoassumethatafacultymemberisabusinghisorherpowerifthatfacultymemberexpressesascholarlybeliefthatishurtful.

TheMajority’sproposalwillnoteffectivelycounterthepowerdifferentialbetweenfacultyandstudents.

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LessonsfromvictoryCouragetotakeunpopularstands

Thepoliticalprocessmatters

Substanceoftheideas◦ Balancingprincipleswithpragmatism◦ Argumentationandexamples

Buildingallies◦ Localgroups,undergroundallies,studentclubs,endorsements,openforums

Anticipatingoppositionandredherrings

Mediaattention/coverage

Censorshiponcollegecampuses§ IntoleranceofdissentanddebateonAmerica’scollegecampuses

§Campuscensorshipaliveandthriving

§ Somesayadministratorshaveconvincedstudentsfreedomofspeechisenemyofsocialprogress

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Newcontroversies§ TitleIXinvestigations§ microaggressions§ Classroom“triggerwarnings”withadvancedisclaimersaboutpotentialcontroversies§ “Safespaces”freefromintellectualconflictoroffense§ Disinviting,disruptinginvitedspeakersifsomeoneisoffended§ Politiciansandgovernanceboardspunishingorenforcingideologies

RecentCaliforniaHigherEdControversies

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PierceCollegebanstheconstitution?• StudentKevinShawsuingPierceCollegeandLosAngeles

CommunityCollegeDistrictover“freespeechzone”• ShawstoppedbyadministratoratPierceCollegein

WoodlandHills,CA,frompassingoutSpanish-languagecopiesofU.S.Constitution

• Campuspolicyrequirespermitandlimitedaccessto”freespeechzone”• 616sq ft ona426-acrecampus

• LATimes:“whenapubliccollegeoruniversitysqueezestheexpressionofpoliticalviewsintoatightlycircumscribedarea,itnotonlyunderminesitscommitmenttothefreeexchangeofideas;itrunsafoulofthe1stAmendment.”

Berkeleystudentsriotoverspeaker•UCBerkeleystudentsriotedinFebruary2017overplannedtalkbyright-wingprovocateurMiloYiannopoulus• Policecancelledspeechandevacuatedspeaker• LATimes:“avisualillustrationoftheacademy’sdeclinefromaplaceoflearningtoavictomology hothouse”

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CalStateLAsuedoverspeakerevent• CSULAYoungAmerica’sFoundationinvitedconservativeauthorBenShapirotospeakoncampusinFeb.2016• “WhenDiversityBecomesaProblem”– brandedasanationwidetourinvadingcampus’safespaces’

• Universityinitiallyrescindsinvitation,saysShapirocanvisitcampusifpartofawiderpanelwithviewpointdiversity• Universityrelents;requiresstudentgrouptopaysecuritycosts,YAFsued,casesettledinMarch2017• Universityagreestocoversecuritycostsbasedonviewpointofspeakers

PlaycancelledatCalStateLongBeachCalStateLongBeachcancelledplayinSeptember2016,calledN*GGERWETB*CKCH*NK (N*W*C*)

DeliberativelysatiricalplayperformedbyAsian-American,Hispanic-AmericanandAfrican-Americanactorswhosharepersonalnarrativesabouthowraceshapespersonalidentitywhilemockingstereotypes

MicheleRoberge,directorofRichard&KarenCarpenterPerformingArtsCenter,resignedinprotestofthecancellation§ “Bycensoringthisshow,we'redeprivingstudentsoftheopportunityfromhearingadifferentpointofviewaboutracerelationsandmakinguptheirownmindsaboutwhatinthenewseveryday,fromBlackLivesMattertopolicebrutality”

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WordsnottosayatUCschools

“Microaggressions aretheeverydayverbal,nonverbal,andenvironmentalslights,snubs,orinsults,whetherintentionalorunintentional,thatcommunicatehostile,derogatory,ornegativemessagestotargetpersonsbasedsolelyupontheirmarginalizedgroupmembership.”

CSUFprofsuspendedoverprotestincident

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Irreconcilabletensions?

TraditionalframingoftensionsFreeSpeech

• Individualrights• Righttoexpresscontroversialviewsandideas

• Tolerance• Skepticismofauthority• Anti-censorship• academicfreedom

Inclusivity

• professionalresponsibility• harassment-freeenvironment

• Safelearningenvironments

• Appreciationfordiversity• Sensitivitytoother

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AcademicfreedomAmericanAssociationofUniversityProfessors”DeclarationofPrinciples”

Institutionsofhighereducationareconductedforthecommongoodandnottofurthertheinterestofeithertheindividualteacherortheinstitutionasawhole.Thecommongooddependsuponthefreesearchfortruthanditsfreeexposition.

Academicfreedomisessentialtothesepurposesandappliestobothteachingandresearch.Freedominresearchisfundamentaltotheadvancementoftruth.Academicfreedominitsteachingaspectisfundamentalfortheprotectionoftherightsoftheteacherinteachingandofthestudenttofreedominlearning.

Freespeech“Thebesttestoftruthisthepowerofthethoughttogetitselfacceptedinthecompetitionofthemarket”(Abramsv.U.S.,1919)“Weshouldbeeternallyvigilantagainstattemptstochecktheexpressionofopinionsthatweloatheandbelievetobefraughtwithdeath,”(Abramsv.U.S.,1919)”Itisthefunctionofspeechtofreemenfromthebondageofirrationalfears”(Whitneyv.California,1927)”Debateonpublicissuesshouldbeuninhibited,robustandwide-open”(NewYorkTimesv.Sullivan,1964)“UndertheFirstAmendment,thereisnosuchthingasafalseidea”(Gertz v.RobertWelch,1974)”Oneman’svulgarityisanother’slyric”(Cohenv.California,1971)“IfthereisabedrockprincipleunderlyingtheFirstAmendment,itisthattheGovernmentmaynotprohibittheexpressionofanideasimplybecausesocietyfindstheideaitselfoffensiveordisagreeable”(Texasv.Johnson,1989)

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Limitsonacademicfreedom?AlsofromAAUPDeclarationofPrinciples:

Teachersareentitledtofreedomintheclassroomindiscussingtheirsubject,buttheyshouldbecarefulnottointroduceintotheirteachingcontroversialmatterwhichhasnorelationtotheirsubject.

Collegeanduniversityteachersarecitizens,membersofalearnedprofession,andofficersofaneducationalinstitution.Whentheyspeakorwriteascitizens,theyshouldbefreefrominstitutionalcensorshipordiscipline,buttheirspecialpositioninthecommunityimposesspecialobligations.Asscholarsandeducationalofficers,theyshouldrememberthatthepublicmayjudgetheirprofessionandtheirinstitutionbytheirutterances.Hencetheyshouldatalltimesbeaccurate,shouldexerciseappropriaterestraint,shouldshowrespectfortheopinionsofothers,andshouldmakeeveryefforttoindicatethattheyarenotspeakingfortheinstitution

VersionsofAcademicFreedom:FromProfessionalismtoRevolution(2014)Ifacademicsarefunctioningnotasacademics,butaspoliticaladvocates,thentheydonotmeritacademicfreedom

Doyouemphasize“academic”or”freedom”?

Isacademicfreedomacontributiontosociety’scommongood?

Doesacademicfreedomauthorizeprofessorstocritiquethestatusquo,bothinsideandoutsidetheuniversity?

Isacademicfreedomanengineforrevolution?

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Academicfreedomvs.freespeech§Candefendbothbutrecognizenotalwaysthesamething

§Fish:“TheFirstAmendmentstandsforthepropositionthatnotallpointsofviewmustbegivenahearingandnoneexcluded;andwhileacademicfreedomalsoinsiststhatideasshouldbegivingahearing,iterectsabarrierthatmustbenegotiatedbeforeaparticularideaiswelcomedintotheconversationasalegitimateparticipant;itmustpassmusterbeforeabodyofcredentialedexperts;andifitdoesnot,itwillbesentawaywithoutapologyandwithoutanyphilosophicalormoralanxieties.Theacademyisnotademocracy;itisastructureofauthority,anditisinthebusinessofexcludingwhatisjudgedtobeunworthy.”

AcademicFreedominanAgeofConformity(2016)§Academicfreedomallowsscholarstochallengedominantorthodoxiesandconstructanddeconstructknowledgethatiscontestableandabletobesupersededwithintellectualadvancesaremade

§Whatbecomesofacademicfreedomwhenconceptsoftruthandobjectivityareconsideredespeciallyproblematic?

§Exploresthehistoricalimportanceofacademicfreedomtothepursuitofknowledge

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KindlyInquisitors:TheNewAttacksonFreeThought

• Threegreatliberalsocialandpoliticalsystems• Democracy(politicalliberalism)• Capitalism(economicliberalism)• Liberalscience(intellectualliberalism)

• Liberalsocialsystemofsortingouttruthfromfalsehoodunderthreat• Authoritarians• Egalitarians• humanitarians

Howdowesortouttruebeliefsfromfalseones?

§TheFundamentalistPrinciple:Thosewhoknowthetruthshoulddecidewhoisright

§TheSimpleEgalitarianPrinciple:Allsincerepersons’beliefshaveequalclaimstorespect

§TheRadicalEgalitarianPrinciple:Likethesimpleegalitarianprinciple,butthebeliefsofpersonsinhistoricallyoppressedclassesorgroupsgetspecialconsideration

§TheHumanitarianPrinciple:Anyoftheabove,butwiththeconditionthatthefirstprinciplebetocausenohurt

§TheLiberalPrinciple:Checkingofeachbyeachthroughpubliccriticismistheonlylegitimatewaytodecidewhoisright

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Doesliberalsciencedeny‘wordscanwound’?§ ”liberalscience”- liberalintellectualsystemforsortingtruthfromfalsehood

§ Insistsabsolutelyonfreedomofbeliefandspeech,butfreedomofknowledgeitrejectsabsolutely

§ Methodofskepticalinquiryandimportanceofintellectualhumility

§ Criticismisnotviolence

§ ”theverynotionof‘wordsthatwound’or‘verbalharassment’isberepudiatedandjunked.”

HostileandharassingenvironmentsStudentsdeserveanenvironmentinwhichtheycanthrive

Federallawrequiresuniversitiestomaintainenvironmentsfreefromharassmentanddiscrimination

Speechcanbeharassmentifitis◦ Severeorpervasiveenough◦ Hostile,abusive,offensive◦ Inwork,educational,publiceducationorhousing◦ Toareasonableperson

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WordsthatWound:CriticalRaceTheory,AssaultiveSpeechandtheFirstAmendment(1993)

§ Incidentsofhatespeechandracialharassment“havereachednearepidemicproportions”onAmericancollegecampuses

§Criticalracetheory– embracesubjectivityofperspective,avowedlypolitical,focusedonoppressedandsubordinatedgroups

§ FirstAmendmentgoalofmaximizingpublicdiscourseisnotattainedinamarketplaceofideasdistortedbycoercionandprivilege

§Whenwordswound,speechcan/shouldbebanned/punishedinsomecontexts

TheriseoftheadministrativeuniversityTheFalloftheFaculty:TheRiseoftheAll-AdministrativeUniversityandWhyitMatters(2011)byBenjaminGinsberg,politicalscienceprofessoratJohnsHopkinsUniversity§ Americanuniversitieswereonceledbyfacultieswhoprizedintellectualproductionandpedagogy

§ Non-academicadministratorsandstaffshavetakenover§ Downplayimportanceofresearchandteachinginfavorof”lifeskills’§ Usegroupthinkandgrievancestobolsterpoweroverfaculty

§ Tenureunderthreat acrosscountry§ Declineoftenure-trackpositionsandriseofcontingentfaculty§ “Thereisnosuchthingasacademicfreedomforprofessors”

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YouCan’tSayThat!”TheGrowingThreattoCivilLibertiesFromAntidiscriminationLaws(2003)§Arguesthatcivillibertiesareunderthreatbyinterpretationsofcivilrightsandanti-discriminationlaws§ Freedomofexpressioninworkplace§ Artisticfreedom§ Politicalspeechasillegaldiscrimination§ Censoringcampusspeech§ Compelledspeech§ Threatstoautonomyofprivateorganizationsandexpressiveassociations

§ Regulatingreligiousschools§ Righttoprivacy

“ChicagoPrinciples”

CommitteeonFreedomofExpressionattheUniversityofChicago– StatementonPrinciplesofFreeExpression,2012

Thestatementguarantees“allmembersoftheUniversitycommunitythebroadestpossiblelatitudetospeak,write,listen,challenge,andlearn”andmakesclearthat“itisnottheproperroleoftheUniversitytoattempttoshieldindividualsfromideasandopinionstheyfindunwelcome,disagreeable,orevendeeplyoffensive.”

Campaignsatuniversitiesacrossthecountrytoadoptsimilarstatements

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Pathsforward

Whyshouldwelistentowhatothershavetosay?Howdoweadvocatefortheimportanceofviewpointdiversity?Howdoweteachstudents,facultyandadministratorsthatwecan’tbeprotectedfromjerksinlife?Howdowedemonstratethatwevaluetheroleofskepticismandchallengeabsolutisminpoliticalideologies?

3areasforpotentialgreaterengagement

1. freespeechtrainingaspartofdiversitytraining2. Approachestofreespeechandintellectualdiversityinthe

classroom– teachingwithoutproselytizing3. educatingcampuscommunitiesaboutstudentspeechpressrights

andresponsibilities

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AdditionalReadingBernstein,DavidE.,YouCan’tSayThat!TheGrowingThreattoCivilLibertiesFromAntidiscriminationLaws,Washington,D.C.:CatoInstitute,2003.

D’Souza,Dinesh,IlliberalEducation:ThePoliticsofRaceandSexonCampus,NewYork,NY:VintageBooks,1992.

Delgado,RichardandStefancic,Jean,UnderstandingWordsthatWound,Boulder,CO:WestviewPress,2004.

Downs,DonaldA.,RestoringFreeSpeechandLibertyonCampus,Cambridge:CambridgeUniversityPress,2005.

Fish,Stanley,VersionsofAcademicFreedom:FromProfessionalismtoRevolution,Chicago:UniversityofChicagoPress,2014.

Ginsberg,Benjamin,TheFalloftheFaculty:TheRiseoftheAll-AdministrativeUniversityandWhyItMatters,Oxford:OxfordUniversityPress,2011.

Holzer,HenryMark,SpeakingFreely:TheCaseAgainstSpeechCodes,StudioCity,CA:SecondThoughtBooks,1994.

Kors,AlanCharlesandSilvergate,Harvey,TheShadowUniversity:TheBetrayalofLibertyonAmerica’sCampuses,NewYork,NY:TheFreePress,1998.

Lukianoff,Greg,UnlearningLiberty:CampusCensorshipandtheEndofAmericanDebate,NewYork,NY:EncounterBooks,2014.

Matsuda,Mary,etal.,WordsthatWound:CriticalRaceTheory,AssaultiveSpeechandtheFirstAmendment,Boulder,CO:WestviewPress,1993.

Rauch,Jonathan,KindlyInquisitors:TheNewAttacksonFreeThought,Chicago:UniversityofChicagoPress,1993,2013.

Williams,Joanna.AcademicFreedominanAgeofConformity:ConfrontingtheFearofKnowledge,PalgraveMacMillan,2016.

Zimmerman,Jonathan,CampusPolitics:WhatEveryoneNeedstoKnow,Oxford:OxfordUniversityPress,2016.

Thankyou!

www.jasonmshepard.com

jshepard@fullerton.edu