Many times when people hear the term “freedom of speech,” they think “rights.” However, as Dean of Students, I frequently tell students: “I have little interest in protecting anyone’s free speech – my interest is in your learning and growth.” It just so happens that freedom of expression at a university is vital to maximizing your learning. So, instead of thinking of free expression in terms of protecting others’ rights to say something, think of it in terms of protecting your rights – and those of your fellow students – to choose for yourself what you want to hear and consider, and how to respond to speech with which you disagree. We believe that you, not administrators, should decide what you deem worthy of hearing and considering. After all, not all students react to controversial or even offensive speech in the same way; some prefer to avoid it completely, while others prefer to confront it directly. Others still may find listening to offensive ideas helps them refine their own thoughts and ideas, even if it doesn’t change them. If administrators censor campus expression, we deprive you of these choices.
Free expression is an essential asset to students’ education and I encourage students upset by the speech of others to focus their energies on responding to what is said, rather than trying to prevent others from saying it. That said, while a student may act on their right to free expression without being subject to university discipline, offensive expression can have deep ramifications on our community. Disparaging someone’s idea is not the same as disparaging someone’s identity. Moreover, the uneven power dynamics in our society often exacerbate the negative impact some speech can have on people from historically-oppressed communities.
I hope by exploring the resources on this website you will understand more fully the value free expression adds to your Chapman education, the impact it can have on other students’ education, and how to respond to others’ expression in a way that feels right for you and advances our community.
Jerry Price, Ph.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
