Exploring Academic Censorship and Its Impact on Free Speech in Universities This episode of Changing Higher Ed® podcast features Dr. Jeremy Young of PEN America, discussing the organization's efforts to combat censorship in higher education. PEN America's "Freedom to Learn" program actively opposes state legislative attempts to restrict academic freedom and free speech on college campuses. The interview highlights concerning trends like "educational gag orders," "jawboning," and DEI bans in various states, emphasizing the threat these actions pose to intellectual discourse and institutional autonomy. Young advocates for universities to prioritize protecting free expression, even amidst political pressure, suggesting strategic approaches for presidents and boards to navigate these challenges. The discussion also covers PEN America's annual report, "America's Censored Classrooms 2024," which tracks these legislative trends. Podcast Overview PEN America's Mission and Background PEN America is a 100-year-old organization focused on defending the freedoms of writers, including academic freedom and freedom of expression.Originally stood for Poets, Essayists, and Novelists but now just "PEN" to be more inclusive of all writers.PEN International has over 140 PEN centers worldwide.PEN America's activities include awards, literary festivals, global writer protection, advocacy against book bans, free speech advocacy, and higher ed advocacy (Freedom to Learn program).PEN America is described as "center-left," maintaining relationships with organizations across the political spectrum. The Threat to Academic Freedom and Free Speech There's a growing movement to constrict the space of ideas available to students on college campuses.The argument often made is that universities lean left, and the solution is to limit existing voices, not to add more conservative perspectives.This trend manifests in attempts to ban courses, curricula, and harass administrators.The "solution to speech is more speech," and increased voices are beneficial. Book Banning and the Underlying Agenda Book banning often involves claims of obscenity but is ultimately an attempt to constrain ideas, not to protect children from inappropriate material.Analysis of banned books reveals they disproportionately feature minoritized identities, including LGBTQ, race, and sexual violence.Those who want to ban these books view them as encouraging those types of identities.PEN believes people need to see themselves reflected in books and that banning them is an attempt to cut off viewpoints for students. "America's Censored Classrooms 2024" Report An annual report tracking legislation that censors colleges and universities.Tracks "educational gag orders" that censor topics/ideas and restrictions on university autonomy (DEI offices, curriculum, accreditation standards, tenure, governance).Focuses on trends in proposed and passed legislation and predictions for the future. Jawboning as a Form of Censorship Jawboning refers to lawmakers threatening or bullying university presidents into actions they want without passing laws.This includes pressuring universities to close DEI offices or eliminate certain programs.It is a stealthy approach as there are no democratic elements, no hearings for public comment, and no laws in place to challenge.It creates a difficult situation for presidents who have limited leverage and no recourse.Congressional hearings on antisemitism have become another form of jawboning intended to intimidate university presidents and make political points.The goal often isn't to address the issue at hand but to exploit them for political gain. Florida as a Case Study in Censorship Florida is cited as "Armageddon for higher education."The state passed the "Stop Woke Act," which is a direct restriction of faculty speech.SB 266 banned DEI and placed significant restrictions on curriculum, causing numerous course eliminations.The University of North Florida removed its interfaith center due to thinking it was a DEI program.The governor replaced the board of New College of Florida with conservative figures who dramatically altered the curriculum and mission.PEN America has opened a permanent office in Florida to respond to these threats. DEI Bans in Higher Education and Their Impacts DEI bans result in the closing of cultural centers, women's centers, and multicultural centers.Staff are often reassigned or laid off in states that pass bans.Iowa has passed the most draconian ban, including a ban on developing any programming "with reference to race."It restricts universities from opining on 16 topics related to race, gender, and identity or any related topics.Universities can't even discuss bias, including the term. Extremist Attacks on Accreditors Project 2025 has a plan to weaponize accreditation, forcing accreditors to remove any reference to DEI.The government is threatening to censor ideas by forcing this change in standards.WASC considered ...
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