WASHINGTON — Colleges and universities have a responsibility to protect freedom of expression on their campuses — but also to prevent speech that might incite violence and unrest. Where that line is drawn is increasingly unclear in the wake of heated debates around the nature of free speech and incidents of violent protest at institutions nationwide.
“Campuses around the country, including American University, have seen a rise in the episodes of deeply offensive speech and expression: from racist statements and acts, to flag burning,” said Dr. Fanta Aw, interim vice president of campus life at American University. “These expressions come from within, from our own students, faculty and staff, as well as from forces outside our community.”
Speaking at a Senate hearing “Free Speech 101: The Assault on the First Amendment on College Campuses,” on Tuesday, Aw said, “As an institution, we draw the line when that expression has the potential to incite violence and/or is a direct threat to members of our community.”
AU was recently the subject of such an episode. In May, bananas were found hanging from nooses on AU’s campus. They appeared on the same day that Taylor Dumpson, AU’s first Black female student government president, took office. Messages written on the bananas appeared to reference Alpha Kappa Alpha, a Black sorority of which Dumpson is a member.
The incident is currently being investigated by the FBI.
“With the increasing frequency of such episodes, the ability of students to learn and thrive has been severely limited,” Aw said. “When students fear for their safety, this affects their ability to study and to participate fully in the life of the university.”
The Senate Judiciary Committee convened Tuesday’s hearing to examine the role of First Amendment rights on college campuses in today’s increasingly polarized political climate. Institutions have witnessed an apparent escalation in violence around visits from controversial figures in recent months.
