The Free Speech Crisis
While college campuses have traditionally been seen as bastions of free expression and intellectual debate, some have raised alarm about a perceived crisis of free speech on campuses across the United States.
Another factor contributing to the free speech crisis on campus is the increasing politicization of universities. Many campuses have become hotbeds of political activism, with students and faculty members often aligning themselves with specific ideological positions and using their platforms to advance their agendas. This can create an environment where certain viewpoints are favored over others, and where dissenting opinions are discouraged or even punished.
As alumni, we hold the power to protect and preserve these principles at our alma maters. Alumni around the country are pushing back and advocating for change by creating an alumni group with the help of the Alumni Free Speech Alliance.
Advocating for Change
AFSA groups have been widely successful at advocating for free speech on and off campus. At Davidson College, alumni pressured faculty to affirm a Freedom of Expression statement. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Free Speech Alliance (MFSA) hosted a civil debate regarding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies, just a few years after Dorian Abbot, a Professor at the University of Chicago who opposed DEI, was uninvited from the campus due to his views. At the University of North Carolina (UNC), the Board of Governors approved a ban on compelled political speech. In February 2023, UNC trustees voted unanimously to establish the School of Civic Life and Leadership.
FAQ
Please refer to our FAQ for answers to important questions
What’s an Alumni Group?
An alumni group is a group of alumni dedicated to preserving free speech, academic freedom, and viewpoint diversity.
How much does it cost?
It’s free to join!
How can I get involved if I have limited time?
We hope you can attend our meetings and events, but we understand that people are busy. Subscribe to our newsletter to hear more about our work.
I'm not an alum. Can I still join?
Yes! Students, parents, alumni, faculty, staff, and other members of the community can join.
What do Alumni Groups do?
Alumni Groups consist of like-minded individuals who want to change their alma maters for the better. These groups send out newsletters, hold meetings, work with students to host events on campus, and meet with administrators to advocate for the adoption of free speech policies on campus.
What do I have to do?
As alumni, we have the power to change our alma mater for the better. By joining the movement, you have the opportunity to meet with administrators and trustees to discuss ways to preserve free speech on campus. It may seem difficult, but we have resources to help! We also plan to host events, virtually and on campus, to connect with like minded students, faculty, administrators, and alumni. Our group will also host meetings using Zoom to connect with one another and discuss strategies for growing the movement.
Contact Patrick McCloskey with any questions or inquiries: [email protected]