The University of Chicago is known for its commitment to free
speech and academic freedom. Why are these values important to the
university? Where do they originate? And how do they help
administrators navigate conflicts and controversies?
Tony Banout and Tom Ginsburg direct the University of
Chicago’s Forum for Free Inquiry
and Expression, which
received a $100 million gift last year. They are also
editors of “The
Chicago Canon on Free Inquiry and Expression,” a new book
that collects foundational texts that inform the university’s free
speech tradition.
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Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
03:31 Origin of book
07:14 UChicago’s founding principles
12:41 Free speech in a university context
19:17 2015 UChicago committee report
32:03 1967 Kalven report
38:02 Institutional neutrality
57:41 Applying free speech principles beyond the
university
01:04:21 Future steps for the Forum
01:06:35 Outro
Show notes:
–
The University of Chicago’s Report of the Committee on Freedom of
Expression (2015)
–
Chicago Statement: University and Faculty Body Support
(last updated 2024)