A sweeping new survey of campus free speech reveals that nearly two-thirds of American colleges and universities are failing to foster environments supportive of open dialogue, with conservative students increasingly joining their liberal counterparts in opposing controversial speakers on campus.
For the first time in the survey's six-year history, a majority of students oppose allowing any of six controversial speakers—three conservative and three liberal—to speak on their campuses. The comprehensive study, conducted with survey partner College Pulse, analyzed responses from 68,510 students nationwide.
Claremont McKenna College claimed the top ranking for campus free speech climate, followed by Purdue University and the University of Chicago. At the bottom of the rankings were Barnard College, Columbia University, and Indiana University, all receiving failing grades.
"This year, students largely opposed allowing any controversial campus speaker, no matter that speaker's politics," said FIRE President and CEO Greg Lukianoff. "Rather than hearing out and then responding to an ideological opponent, both liberal and conservative college students are retreating from the encounter entirely."
The findings come amid heightened tensions on college campuses following widespread protests over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and increased scrutiny of higher education under the current administration. The survey found that 53% of students consider the Israeli-Palestinian conflict a difficult topic to discuss openly on campus, with this figure reaching 90% at Barnard College.
Perhaps most concerning to free speech advocates was the finding that one in three students now holds some level of acceptance for resorting to violence to stop campus speeches they oppose—a record high.
