VIDEO: Geoffrey Stone, FIRE’s Azhar Majeed on Free Speech Panel at Purdue

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Two weeks ago, I had the pleasure of speaking on a panel at Purdue University about free speech on campus and the new challenges facing student rights.

I was joined on the panel by Geoffrey Stone, professor of law at the University of Chicago Law School and one of the foremost experts on constitutional law in the country. The event, which was put together by the Purdue Graduate Student Government (PGSG), led to a terrific discussion with students and other attendees about recent developments in campus expression, FIRE’s continuing efforts to protect student and faculty rights, and, of course, Purdue becoming a “green light” institution earlier this year.

You can watch video of the entire presentation above.

In addition to answering questions from the audience, Professor Stone and I discussed the University of Chicago’s exemplary free speech statement, which the university enacted early this year. Professor Stone chaired the university’s Committee on Freedom of Expression, which produced the policy statement. Back in January, FIRE endorsed the “Chicago principles,” as they have come to be known, and we have since undertaken a national campaign to encourage other colleges and universities to adopt their own version. Several institutions have done so, including Purdue itself.

There was much to discuss on the campus free speech front, both positive and negative, on our panel at Purdue, and I hope we did the topic justice.

I would like to thank PGSG President Andrew Zeller and Purdue President Mitch Daniels for their hospitality and for making the entire event possible.