Table of Contents
‘Daily Pennsylvanian’ Comments on Penn’s Green Light Rating
In a column in today’s Daily Pennsylvanian, University of Pennsylvania (Penn) freshman Jamie France commends Penn for its green light rating on ֱ’s Spotlight. After explaining ֱ’s system of evaluation and pointing out that Penn and Dartmouth were the only Ivy League institutions to receive a green light, France wrote:
By allowing us to do and say what we want, within reason, Penn is fostering our potential to become the innovative minds of the future.During a time when so few people have the confidence to voice heretical opinions, colleges must be responsible for instilling attitudes of boldness, in its students. Students who graduate with the ability to express themselves—who don't feel constrained by a fear of being punished or, worse, misunderstood—will one day achieve far greater success than those who sit on the silent sidelines.
A perfect outlook. Use college to cultivate a certain comfort level where students feel at ease expressing themselves in an environment where their views may stir debate or face opposition. In a society where we are constantly bombarded with competing messages and forced to decide which beliefs to adopt as our own, it is crucial that our universities prepare their students for facing that inevitable “real world” where they need to be able to accept or disagree with an unlimited number of other expressions day in and day out. Students need to be unafraid of putting their own ideas into the mix, and spending time in an institution that values the fundamentals of free speech is an excellent starting point.
Recent Articles
FIRE’s award-winning Newsdesk covers the free speech news you need to stay informed.
People want AI regulation — but they don’t trust the regulators
As AI reshapes the world around us, survey data shows rising support for its regulation. Are we protecting society, or baking censorship into our digital future?
Introducing Expression, ֱ's official new Substack
Free speech has a new home. ֱ is now on Substack — delivering fearless commentary, analysis, and storytelling straight to your inbox. Join the conversation.
No gay rights without free expression
ֱ’s latest rankings show alarming support for censorship among LGBT students. But as Kirchick explains, there would be no LGBT rights without free speech.
University of Michigan has ended private surveillance contracts but the chill on free speech remains
After public outcry, UMich ditched its private spy firm — but the damage is done. Students may no longer be watched, but the chill on campus speech is alive and well.