The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression reported more than 1,000 efforts to penalize students or student groups for First Amendment-protected speech from 2020 to 2024. While the reasons for universities silencing student protests have shifted over the last four years with the political climate — from the Black Lives Matter movement to the war in Gaza — speech-related incidents often ended the same way, with students facing penalties from peers, administrators or government officials, the foundation found.
Across the country, the rise of anti-free speech sentiments have infiltrated classrooms and campuses of higher education. In this year’s College Free Speech Rankings, all the five bottom schools had a number of controversies related to suppressing free speech. Harvard and Columbia universities came in last, earning the lowest possible score — zero. GW was ranked 161, which FIRE labeled “slightly below average.” It’s time to RaiseHigh — much higher.
FIRE’s report offers a chilling look at the shifting landscape of campus censorship. The focus has shifted dramatically — from students targeting their peers over alleged hate speech, to university administrators disciplining students in the name of safety and now to government officials reacting to national headlines.
We have been here before. Since 2016, the number of students who believe their free speech rights are secure has dropped from 73 percent to 43 percent — and the trends show no sign of growth. While 89 percent of students say they believe in the value of free speech, a contrasting 64 percent consider “hate speech” not protected by the Constitution.
In times of political division, the first victim is often free speech. Our campuses have become ground zero in the fight. GW must decide what role it will play during periods of political unrest.
The surge in crackdowns on constitutional principles demands a clear, consistent response from students, universities and political leaders alike — one that defends protected speech not by its popularity or political correctness but by safeguarding the freedom of expression.
Higher education institutions are driven by the continuous pursuit of a brighter tomorrow. But as long as free speech remains at an impasse, so will creativity and innovation. To express ourselves is to be human — silence it, and what are we left with?
The players and arguments may change, but the impulse to silence dissent remains constant. In moments of crisis, America’s constitutional commitments to free speech are routinely tested. If campuses and the country are to remain stable and free, speech must be judged by principle, not the politics of the moment.
Madie Turley, a sophomore majoring in English and creative writing, is the contributing opinions editor.