Dive Brief:
- The University of California board of regents is considering its second policy about intolerance in as many years as it navigates the fine line between preserving free speech and condemning discrimination.
- Inside Higher Ed reports the draft policy calls on university leaders to “challenge anti-Semitism and other forms of discrimination” while also defending “the principles of the First Amendment and academic freedom.”
- The draft ties the university’s nondiscrimination policy to university leadership positions and prohibits interference with campus speeches and events, apparently in response to incidents in the last few years in which it was suggested a student government candidate’s Jewish faith would negatively impact her service and student protesting of the Israeli ambassador’s visit interrupted his speech.
Dive Insight:
While this draft policy seems to have considerably more support than the last iteration, Inside Higher Ed reports the Jewish Voice for Peace has expressed concern the policy will work to silence criticism of the Israeli government’s actions under the guise of anti-Zionism. A number of anti-Jewish incidents did contribute to the perceived need for such a statement, but it is still surprising anti-Semitism would get special billing in the language of the policy, especially following a semester of student activism relating to discrimination against students of color on campuses nationwide.
This activism has forced many colleges and universities to consider carefully where the boundaries of free speech lie. Students are increasingly speaking out about perceived injustice, causing some to celebrate their exercise of free speech and others to claim they are silencing ideological opponents. It is surely a line that will continue to be debated in the years to come.