Preserving the Pillars of Free Speech on Campus Free speech is not merely an issue to be managed on college campuses; it is a defining feature of higher education and our nation.

If you haven’t already, read UC President James B. Milliken’s reflection on our eighth annual #SpeechMatters conference, “Preserving the Pillars of Free Expression,” here:

Surveillance in the Classroom: Tip-Lines, Recording, and Social Media Campaigns This panel explores intersections of virality, teaching, surveillance, and the current political moment, including guidance for educators.

On April 22, join us and @ucfreespeech.bsky.social for “Surveillance in the Classroom: Tip-Lines, Recording, and Social Media Campaigns,” featuring Sarah Brown @chronicle.com, Heather Akou, @sobieraj.bsky.social and @isaackamola.bsky.social: pen.org/event/survei...

Surveillance in the Classroom: Tip-Lines, Recording, and Social Media Campaigns This panel explores intersections of virality, teaching, surveillance, and the current political moment, including guidance for educators.

Look forward to digging into Surveillance in the Classroom hosted by @penamerica.bsky.social & @ucfreespeech.bsky.social, w/ Sarah Brown @chronicle.com, Heather Akou, @sobieraj.bsky.social and @isaackamola.bsky.social pen.org/event/survei...

Academic Freedom Index The Academic Freedom Index (AFI) assesses de facto levels of academic freedom across the world. It is a collaborative effort between researchers at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg…

What’s the state of academic freedom worldwide? 🌎 Activate the Academic Freedom Index here: buff.ly/6WirG4M

Where Are All the Campus Protests? Two years ago, students occupied buildings and colonized the quad. Now the same places are strangely silent.

Campuses across the country are strangely silent in comparison to the unrest of protests two years ago. Read more:

🚨 Today! Join the Center and @penamerica.bsky.social for Surveillance on the Quad: Privacy, Safety, and Protest at 12pm PT/ 3pm ET. Register here: buff.ly/eqOWPfM

Surveillance on the Quad: Privacy, Safety, and Protest Join a panel of experts to explore the challenges in navigating digital spaces, student safety, free expression, and civil rights.

Join us and @ucfreespeech.bsky.social on April 16 as we explore the challenges in navigating digital spaces, student safety, free expression, and civil rights in “Surveillance on the Quad: Privacy, Safety, and Protest.”

Sign up here: pen.org/event/survei...

Private Colleges Are Getting Stricter About Student Speech The distinction from public colleges is becoming increasingly stark.

Read how private colleges are getting stricter about student speech in this article in the Chronicle ⤵️

📢 Join the Center and UC President James B. Milliken for an engaging and topical conversation with two of the University of California’s foremost free speech experts — UC Berkeley Law Dean Erwin Chemerinsky and UC Irvine Chancellor Howard Gillman on April 22.
🔗 buff.ly/rsZ8y7V

Florida Deals Another Blow to Sociology Students at Florida’s 12 public universities will no longer be able to fulfill their general education requirements by taking an introductory sociology course. On Thursday, the Florida Board of…

In Florida, introductory sociology courses have been removed from general education offerings following controversy over a state-approved textbook critics call an “affront to academic freedom.”
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Boston University paused the removal of signs and flags after free speech concerns were raised. Read more:

Can You Hang a Pride Flag in Your Office Window? This University Says No. Boston University has drawn a line between personal and institutional speech. Some professors see censorship.

Academic Advisory Board Member Vikram D. Amar weighs in on the line between institutional and private speech amid Boston University’s controversial policy. ⬇️

The Center and @penamerica.bsky.social will be hosting an April webinar series! Surveillance on the Quad: Privacy, Safety, and Protest on April 16 and Surveillance in the Classroom: Tip-Lines, Recording, and Social Media Campaigns on April 22. Registration is open now! 🔗
buff.ly/LLo8bUn

Call for submissions for The Voices of Democracy: A Festival for Ten-Minute Monologues, a project funded by the Valuing Open and Inclusive Conversation and Engagement (or VOICE) Initiative is open!👇 buff.ly/JLyt4UP

Surveillance in the Classroom: Tip-Lines, Recording, and Social Media Campaigns This panel explores intersections of virality, teaching, surveillance, and the current political moment, including guidance for educators.

On April 22, join us and @ucfreespeech.bsky.social for “Surveillance in the Classroom: Tip-Lines, Recording, and Social Media Campaigns,” featuring Sarah Brown @chronicle.com, Heather Akou, @sobieraj.bsky.social and @isaackamola.bsky.social: pen.org/event/survei...

Promotional graphic for "Speech Matters 2026" featuring the tagline "Preserving the Pillars of Free Expression." The background shows an image of white fading lines. The text "#SPEECH MATTERS" is prominently displayed in light blue, with "2026" in boldly under it.

📣#SpeechMatters 2026 is starting NOW!

Log in with your Zoom link!
#SpeechMatters2026

🚨ONE HOUR until #SpeechMatters 2026 starts!🚨

Today we will look at challenges to the First Amendment freedoms that are the bedrock of higher education and explore collaborative approaches to meeting this challenging moment.

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: #SPEECHMATTERS 2026: Preserving the Pillars of Free Expression. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. Cracks continue to appear in the pillars upholding our democratic institutions including colleges and universities. Our 8th annual #SpeechMatters conference will look at challenges to the First Amendment...

Today’s the day! 📣

Tune in to #SpeechMatters 2026 at 8:30am PT/11:30am ET

In case you forgot there’s STILL TIME to register! 👇

Graphic featuring a stylized pink column icon. Next to the columns is the blue text “#SpeechMatters 2026,” with “2026” in large bold numbers. Below, in smaller blue text, it reads “Preserving the Pillars of Free Expression.” The background is light gray with diagonal gradient streaks.

🚨 Only 1 day left until #SpeechMatters 2026! See you tomorrow at 8:30 am PST!

Don’t forget to save your spot: buff.ly/4bHMd7s

#SpeechMatters 2026: Preserving the Pillars of Free Expression #SpeechMatters 2026: Preserving the Pillars of Free Expression

Join Dean Erwin Chemerinsky and @ucirvine.bsky.social Chancellor Howard Gillman for "Ask the Experts: Campus Speech and Academic Freedom" at the 8th annual @ucfreespeech.bsky.social #SpeechMatters conference on April 8!

Register now: https://bit.ly/4bZTFyq

Surveillance on the Quad: Privacy, Safety, and Protest Join a panel of experts to explore the challenges in navigating digital spaces, student safety, free expression, and civil rights.

Join us and @ucfreespeech.bsky.social on April 16 as we explore the challenges in navigating digital spaces, student safety, free expression, and civil rights in "Surveillance on the Quad: Privacy, Safety, and Protest."

Sign up for this free webinar at: pen.org/event/survei...

Graphic featuring a stylized pink column icon. Next to the columns is the blue text “#SpeechMatters 2026,” with “2026” in large bold numbers. Below, in smaller blue text, it reads “Preserving the Pillars of Free Expression.” The background is light gray with diagonal gradient streaks.

🗓️ Mark those calendars for #SpeechMatters 2026 this Wednesday, April 8 at 8:30 am PST.

Register now: buff.ly/4bHMd7s

Red-state speech laws pose an existential threat to academic freedom   If courts accept the views advanced by Florida and Indiana, legislators could dictate what faculty may say in public university classrooms.

How will courts rule on laws passed in Indiana and Florida that allow legislators to dictate what faculty say in public university classrooms? ⬇️

Surveillance on the Quad: Privacy, Safety, and Protest Join a panel of experts to explore the challenges in navigating digital spaces, student safety, free expression, and civil rights.

On April 16 at 3pm ET/ 12pm PST, join us and @ucfreespeech.bsky.social for “Surveillance on the Quad: Privacy, Safety, and Protest,” featuring Lisa Loveall, Lindsay Weinberg, and Nathan Freed Wessler. Sign up here to join us: pen.org/event/survei...

Trump’s voter crackdown reaches college campuses The administration's moves to tighten voting rules could dampen student participation in a midterm election where control of Congress may be decided by small margins.

New attempts to tighten voting restrictions are beginning to affect college campuses, raising concerns that the measures could reduce student participation in upcoming elections.
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How Can Universities Protect Their Immigrant Students? With federal cuts and heightened fear on campus, first-generation students at schools like UCLA are asking their institutions to defend and expand their right to education.

Students at schools such as UCLA are urging universities to defend their right to education amid federal policy changes. How can universities continue to protect their civil rights?

Assistant Director, UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement in Irvine, California | University of California, Irvine Careers Home is hiring a Assistant Director, UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement in Irvine, California. Review all of the job details and apply today!

💼 We're hiring!

The Center is searching for an Assistant Director. Find more information and apply here: buff.ly/KRU5euT

How Can Boards Support Free Speech on Campus? Michelle N. Deutchman, JD, is the executive director of the University of California National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement.

Center Executive Director Michelle Deutchman discusses how boards can support free speech on campus in this interview by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges. 🔗

Graphic promoting the University of California National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement’s Fellowship. The graphic displays a picture of a group of people smiling in front of a dark blue background with a white UC National Center logo on the top right corner.

🚨 Last day to apply for our 2026-2027 class of Fellows!

Applications are due tonight, March 30th at midnight. For more information on the fellowship program and past fellows projects: buff.ly/NqwXOOB

Does requiring professors to post their syllabi threaten free speech? Some First Amendment experts defended these requirements, but others view them as politically motivated and meant to suppress certain classroom topics.

Several states require public colleges to make their syllabi public with some critics saying this move displays a chilling effect of the First Amendment.👇