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UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement @ucfreespeech.bsky.social · 10h

The pressure not to be disliked as a professor often leads to self-censorship.

Explore fear and self-censorship in academe in this The Chronicle of Higher Education essay. 🔗

Why Aren’t Professors Braver?

Fear and self-censorship in academe.

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UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement @ucfreespeech.bsky.social · 14h

“This is something we’re seeing play out at multiple Texas institutions, where it really is a demolition of principles of academic freedom and free speech.”

Former fellow Neal Hutchens comments on banning classroom discussions about transgender issues 🔗

A Public University in Texas Bans Discussion of Transgender Topics in Class

In a directive similar to President Trump’s executive order, Angelo State U. told instructors they can no longer suggest that there are identities beyond male and female assigned at birth.

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UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement @ucfreespeech.bsky.social · 1d

“What justifies academic freedom is not the brilliance and inoffensiveness of all professors, but the importance of free expression to academic work and a free society.”

Read this op-ed on how demanding discretion destroys academic freedom.

Discretion Is Not the Better Part of Academic Freedom

In a free society, we strive to eliminate the punishments that make discretion a rational choice—and not glorify discretion as a virtue when it is actually a vice.

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UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement @ucfreespeech.bsky.social · 1d

New survey finds that while admiration for the First Amendment is widespread, understanding of its five freedoms is uneven. 👇

Where America Stands

The results are in: Here’s “Where America Stands” on the First Amendment in 2025.

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UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement @ucfreespeech.bsky.social · 2d

What can be done if you really want to protect free speech? Consider pressuring allied lawmakers to better protect speech going forward.👇

What Republicans Can Do If They Really Want to Protect Free Speech

The best way to defend Americans’ expressive rights is to pass laws.

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UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement @ucfreespeech.bsky.social · 2d

📢 Register for our upcoming Fellows in the Field workshop with Drs. Tara Hudson and Alyssa Rockenbach on Wednesday, October 22 at 10am PT!

See you there: buff.ly/BrGmw6O

Promotional graphic for “Beyond Red and Blue: Fostering Friendships in a Polarized Campus Climate,” featuring speakers Tara Hudson and Alyssa Rockenbach. Photos of the two speakers appear on the right side of the graphic against a blue background.

UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement @ucfreespeech.bsky.social · 2d

“But the point of the principle of free speech is that how we respond to ideas we don’t like is ultimately not about our opponents’ rights — it’s about ours.”

Read more in this op-ed from The New York Times:

Opinion | Everyone’s a Free-Speech Hypocrite

Tit for tat, forever and ever.

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UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement @ucfreespeech.bsky.social · 3d

Former fellow Lara Schwartz discusses civil discourse and protected expression in higher education.

Read more in this Inside Higher Ed article. 🔗

Kirk: A Hero of “Civil Discourse,” or a Fount of Division?

Pointing to the slain activist’s inflammatory statements about minority groups, some are pushing back—at their own peril—against the right’s framing of him as an emblem of quality discourse.

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UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement @ucfreespeech.bsky.social · 3d

How does censorship affect our brain? Read more about the importance of free speech to individual citizens in this op-ed. 🔗

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UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement @ucfreespeech.bsky.social · 4d

Higher education leaders weigh in on the Trump administration’s set of terms given to nine universities. Some say agreeing would end academic freedom. ⬇️
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Trump Offered Universities an Invitation for a Deal. Some See a Trap.

Trump officials want universities to sign on to conservative priorities to get special treatment. Some in higher education say agreeing would end academic freedom.

www.nytimes.com

UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement @ucfreespeech.bsky.social · 4d

What is shared governance? Read more about the term and how faculty and administrators often have different ideas of the rights and responsibilities in this op-ed. ⬇️

What We Mean When We Say “Shared Governance” (opinion)

Faculty and administrators often have very different ideas of the rights and responsibilities involved, Lee Bebout and Jeff Crane write.

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UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement @ucfreespeech.bsky.social · 4d

Happy National Voter Education Week! 🇺🇲🗳️

National Voter Education Week provides voters with the tools, info & confidence they need to cast their ballots. Learn more: buff.ly/nGEKSRG

& Explore the Center’s resource materials on voter engagement:
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Resource Materials: Voter Engagement

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UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement @ucfreespeech.bsky.social · 4d

The need for nonpartisan civic education is even more critical amid rising political violence.

Read more in this op-ed. 👇

What’s So Conservative About Civics, Anyway? (opinion)

Eric Hartman asks how colleges can move civics education beyond this hyperpartisan moment.

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UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement @ucfreespeech.bsky.social · 7d

A new AAUP report argues that the Trump administration has weaponized federal civil rights laws with a goal of discrediting colleges and compromising their academic freedom.

AAUP Accuses Trump of Weaponizing Civil Rights Law

A new report released Monday by the American Association of University Professors and its Committee A on Academic Freedom and Tenure argues that the Trump administration has weaponized federal civil…

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UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement @ucfreespeech.bsky.social · 7d

The Education Department wants to focus grant funds on programs that promote a patriotic education.

Professional historians say the push is a politically motivated power grab.

ED Wants Grants to Advance “Patriotic Education”

Professional historians say the department’s plan is part of the Trump administration’s broader attempt to create an Orwellian “truth ministry” and omit the more troubling aspects of the nation’s…

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UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement @ucfreespeech.bsky.social · 8d

“Consequences of free speech need to be proportionate, lest they eviscerate the freedom itself.” Read more about the current state of free speech in this op-ed. 👇

Opinion | Speech for Me but Not for Thee

Where are the true believers in free speech untainted by the stain of politics?

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UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement @ucfreespeech.bsky.social · 8d

Trump’s allies say the administration’s recent moves — targeting mainstream media and political opponents — are necessary to stop the spread of misinformation and hate speech that could lead to political violence.

In Assault on Free Speech, Trump Targets Speech He Hates

The president’s complaints about negative coverage undermine the rationales offered by his own officials.

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UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement @ucfreespeech.bsky.social · 9d

University of California leaders discuss potential repercussions of deeper cuts from Trump administration threats.

Head of University of California Warns of Risk From Trump Threats

After the Trump administration ratcheted up its demands of the university system over the summer, its Board of Regents met on Wednesday to consider how to respond.

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UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement @ucfreespeech.bsky.social · 9d

🎉 Congratulations to our 2026 class of VOICE recipients!

Take a look at this year’s class, who showcase the UC system’s wide range of perspectives, innovative programming and impactful research:
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UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement @ucfreespeech.bsky.social · 9d

UC Berkeley professor discusses academic freedom, censorship and campus climate. 👇

UC Berkeley professor warns of 'unprecedented crackdown' on academic freedom

UC Berkeley told 160 faculty, staff and students that their names were included in files shared with the federal government related to "alleged antisemitic incidents." We hear from one of them.

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UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement @ucfreespeech.bsky.social · 10d

A coalition of California education unions and faculty associations is suing the Trump administration in support of the UC system. ⬇️

California Unions Sue Trump Admin Over Threats to UC System

A coalition of California education unions and faculty associations is suing the Trump administration to challenge what they say is “the illegal and coercive use of civil rights laws to attack the…

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UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement @ucfreespeech.bsky.social · 10d

Dean Tyrus Miller, UC Irvine School of Humanities, writes about academic freedom and the 75-year history of the California Loyalty Oath within the University of California. Learn more: 🔗 buff.ly/ddCbG8f

Sworn to Obey: The California Loyalty Oath Crisis and Academic Freedom

Dean of UCI School of Humanities on the 75-year history of the California Loyalty Oath within the University of California

www.humanities.uci.edu

UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement @ucfreespeech.bsky.social · 10d

Colleges are entrusted with fostering the free exchange of ideas. Experts weigh in on what Charlie Kirk’s killing means for campus safety.
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Charlie Kirk’s Killing Threatens Colleges’ Ability to Fulfill an Age-Old Responsibility: Hosting Political Events

The conservative activist’s slaying raises questions about higher ed’s ability — and willingness — to allow divisive figures on their campuses.

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UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement @ucfreespeech.bsky.social · 11d

More than a dozen professors discussed their lives after being placed on a professor watchlist.

Charlie Kirk’s Watchlist Made Some Professors’ Lives a ‘Living Hell’

His murder conjured up for targeted faculty mixed emotions ranging from empathy to contempt.

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UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement @ucfreespeech.bsky.social · 11d

The pressure to patrol speech on college campuses has reached new intensity.

Read more in this op-ed in the Chronicle:

Opinion | The Assassination That Broke Campus Free Speech

Professors are allowed to say hateful things. That doesn’t mean they should.

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