ERIC Number: ED599003
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2019-Aug
Pages: 35
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Free Speech at UNC 2019: Annual Report on Free Speech and Institutional Neutrality in the UNC System
Connor, Thomas
James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal
In 2017, the North Carolina legislature passed House Bill 527 (now State Law 2017-196) in order to foster free, open inquiry in the state's colleges and universities. One of the provisions ordered the University of North Carolina (UNC) system Board of Governors to produce an annual report on two major categories of intellectual freedom: free speech and institutional neutrality. This report is the Martin Center's own analysis of free speech and institutional neutrality on the UNC system's 16 campuses. The report examines universities' choices for summer reading assignments and commencement speakers, whether they make public statements on controversial topics like climate change and diversity, the content of freshman orientation sessions, and universities' mission statements. It also records any barriers to student and faculty speech as well as any known disruptions or incidents that curtailed free speech in the past year. To complete this report, the Martin Center consulted schools' websites and newspaper articles. They also contacted student groups to determine whether they experienced any difficulties exercising their rights to free expression. The results of the Martin Center's analysis of free speech and institutional neutrality are presented in this report, organized by campus.
Descriptors: Freedom of Speech, Universities, College Faculty, College Students, Reading Assignments, Graduation, Speeches, Controversial Issues (Course Content), School Orientation, Institutional Mission, Position Papers, Barriers, Incidence, Academic Freedom, Student Rights, Guides, Diversity
James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal. 353 East Six Forks Road Suite 200, Raleigh, NC 27609. Tel: 919-828-1400; Fax: 919-828-7455; Web site: https://www.jamesgmartin.center/
Publication Type: Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal
Identifiers - Location: North Carolina
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Author Affiliations: N/A