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Free Speech in Higher Education

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Campus Interviews about Free Speech

Adrianne.interviewThis is a video our media group composed. We interviewed many students at RU and asked 3 simple questions:
1. What is the 1st amendment?
2. What does it mean to you?
3. Do you feel restricted at RU?
Please feel free to share your opinions on our debates and comments pages! Coms 460 Interviews

Posted on April 19, 2013April 22, 2013 by Adrienne KeithPosted in Current issues, Radford University

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Fraternity / Sorority sign ban in Radford

City ordinances specifically ban the display of 'Greek' signs on houses in Radford's university district.
The Problem is that any government unit’s regulation of the specific content of speech is subject to strict scrutiny review by the courts. Under this review, government must prove that a regulation is:
1) necessary to achieve a “compelling state interest“ 
2) “narrowly tailored” to achieve this compelling interest; a
3) uses the “least restrictive means” to achieve the purpose.   
 Ordinances 120.1-64 and 120.1- 239 fail this test. 

Academic Freedom

Teddy Roosevelt picture from Duke University.
Teddy Roosevelt speaks at Duke University, 1903: “You stand for Academic Freedom, for the right of private judgment, for a duty more incumbent upon the scholar than upon any other man, to tell the truth as he sees it, to claim for himself and to give to others the largest liberty in seeking after the truth.” - US President Teddy Roosevelt, 1903

Current events

  • Before harm occurs: How Ohio State’s academic freedom committee evaluates threats - The Lantern
    November 6, 2026
    Before harm occurs: How Ohio State’s academic freedom committee evaluates threats  The Lantern
  • Video: New Purdue president discusses academic freedom and free speech issues on campus - Journal & Courier
    November 5, 2026
    Video: New Purdue president discusses academic freedom and free speech issues on campus  Journal & Courier
  • Prof. Shameem says academic freedom is vital to institutional autonomy and democracy - Fijivillage
    November 3, 2026
    Prof. Shameem says academic freedom is vital to institutional autonomy and democracy  Fijivillage
  • Ohio Senate Bill 1 investigation raises concerns about academic freedom at Kent State University - Ideastream
    November 2, 2026
    Ohio Senate Bill 1 investigation raises concerns about academic freedom at Kent State University  Ideastream
  • Academic freedom: The freedom to teach, discover, and serve - Virginia Tech News
    October 13, 2026
    Academic freedom: The freedom to teach, discover, and serve  Virginia Tech News
  • Conference "Academic Freedom in Action 2026" - www.coe.int
    September 21, 2026
    Conference "Academic Freedom in Action 2026"  www.coe.int
  • Six principles for supporting academic freedom in universities - Nature
    September 21, 2026
    Six principles for supporting academic freedom in universities  Nature
  • See how academic freedom is changing around the world - Scientific American
    June 16, 2026
    See how academic freedom is changing around the world  Scientific American
  • Academic Freedom in the US Under Threat - Human Rights Watch
    March 18, 2026
    Academic Freedom in the US Under Threat  Human Rights Watch
  • Academic Freedom Index: The Autonomy of Universities in the USA Falls Far Behind Peer Group - VolkswagenStiftung
    March 17, 2026
    Academic Freedom Index: The Autonomy of Universities in the USA Falls Far Behind Peer Group  VolkswagenStiftung

More current events

From shuttered print editions to firings, student journalists clash with universities March 21, 2026 https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Education/2026/0321/student-journalism-first-amendment

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