‘Vigorous civility’: Leading scholar engages 火博体育 in challenges of free speech, 学术自由

At a time when civil discourse is increasingly strained and speech on many college 校园es is under scrutiny, 火博体育大学 is making free speech and expression a top strategic priority and an essential element in strengthening its liberal arts 教育及社区. 

As part of ongoing efforts to foster free speech on 校园, the College recently welcomed 美国研究言论自由的权威专家之一弗雷德里克. 劳伦斯, 进行为期三天的实习. 3月19日至21日的驻留包括多个工作坊 and talks focused on how to advance difficult conversations in a time of increased 社会两极分化.    

Lawrence, who is secretary and CEO of Phi Beta Kappa Society and distinguished lecturer at Georgetown University Law Center, emphasized the importance of challenging others’ ideas, rather than their motives when engaging in dialogue; disagreeing without delegitimizing them; and engaging in what Lawrence called “vigorous civility” — a committed effort 即使存在根本分歧，也要找到共同点.  

“Particularly on issues like Israel and Gaza/Palestine, it will not be easy. 但我们 真的没有选择. 我们需要一个自由表达的系统，我们需要 have a system based on vigorous civility,” he said at a public talk, “Free Speech 《火博体育官网》，3月20日星期三. “如果我们不能成功 这里(大学校园) ... 然后我认为(我们国家的)自治实验 都是失败的. 但如果我们能成功，那我们就做了一件重要的事 我们为可以做到的事情建模.”   

劳伦斯，他也在 2023年学院第112届毕业典礼 and received an honorary degree from 火博体育, encouraged faculty, staff, students, and College leadership not to shirk from topics just because they are contentious. 

In several wide-ranging conversations with faculty, Lawrence noted differences between 言论自由和学术自由. 劳伦斯说，重要的是机构 continue to protect the boundaries of free speech or run the risk of self-censorship. 

“These principles are fundamental to an institution of higher education, and indeed to the whole concept of being a faculty member,” said President Marc Conner. “我们正 committed to protecting the 学术自由 to inquire, explore, and teach of our faculty; and also committed to the principles of freedom of expression on our 校园, 在法律和道德考虑的范围内.”

劳伦斯与学生团体进行了类似的讨论，包括 火博体育学生政府协会 (SGA) and with students who have been actively involved in the contentious issues of the Israel-Palestine/Gaza conflict: “Certainly, our ability to talk has been challenged 自10月. 7,” Lawrence said, referring to the Hamas attacks on Israel and the subsequent 以色列在加沙发动的战争.

我们没有理由不参与有难度的对话. 

Dean of Students and Vice President for 学生事务 Adrian Bautista helped to organize and moderate the student discussions, and expressed how proud he was of how well 火博体育’s students honestly engaged even across significantly different points 的观点. 

火博体育 is committed to putting these ideals and principles into practice on our 校园.  

So important is the principle of speech and expression that College leadership has included the issue among its top strategic priorities for the past two academic years, and the ideas have emerged as key values of the community in the yearlong “Visions 火博体育刚刚进行的自我反思练习. 

“Freedom of expression, diversity of perspectives, openness to many points 的观点 in our conversations and collaborations, a welcoming spirit to everyone in our community,” 火博体育的读取 战略行动议程 在本学年. “这些不仅仅是建筑的基本要素 the community of trust to which we aspire, but also for the liberal arts education 火博体育提供.” 

Since last fall, members of 火博体育’s faculty have organized pop-up courses and public 事件，包括 以巴问题小组讨论. 

President Conner has also joined two dozen other leaders of higher education institutions to facilitate learning and prepare students for the essential task of serving as active civic participants and engaged democratic citizens through the newly launched 公民准备大学校长 倡议. 

“Diverse opinions, perspectives, and ideas provide opportunities for us to reflect, learn, and grow individually and as an institution,” said President Conner, who organized 劳伦斯的访问. “这个实习继续建立在国家的基础上 校园演讲与表达校园研讨会 火博体育去年举办的. 这些是……的基本原则和承诺 our entire community, and they protect all of us, particularly the least empowered. I am proud of how well SKidmore is upholding these principles in an age when so much 我们的社会似乎在反对他们.”