How to Create a Campus Free-Expression Statement. A leader of the University of Wyoming’s effort takes us behind the curtain.

James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal ^ | January 5, 2024 | Martha McCaughey

[karpov]

Last spring, I co-led a working group at the University of Wyoming tasked with articulating the principles of freedom of expression, intellectual freedom, and constructive dialogue. In addition to describing these principles, we were charged with making recommendations for operationalizing, communicating, and practicing them on campus. This essay explains how we accomplished the task and the opportunities UW (or any university) has to implement some of our recommendations.

The president of the university, Ed Seidel,ast spring, I co-led a working group at the University of Wyoming tasked with articulating the principles of freedom of expression, intellectual freedom, and constructive dialogue. In addition to describing these principles, we were charged with making recommendations for operationalizing, communicating, and practicing them on campus. This essay explains how we accomplished the task and the opportunities UW (or any university) has to implement some of our recommendations.

The president of the university, Ed Seidel, announced his plan to establish the working group in November of 2022. By December, he had received commitments from 18 campus stakeholders, including faculty, staff, administrators, students, and a trustee. In January of 2023, the working group formed a plan of action and, following the president’s directive, identified over a dozen external stakeholders in Wyoming whom we wanted to consult. announced his plan to establish the working group in November of 2022. By December, he had received commitments from 18 campus stakeholders, including faculty, staff, administrators, students, and a trustee. In January of 2023, the working group formed a plan of action and, following the president’s directive, identified over a dozen external stakeholders in Wyoming whom we wanted to consult.

[ClearCase_guy]

the principles of freedom of expression, intellectual freedom, and constructive dialogue.

The best approach to this:

"You can say anything here. You can say the n-word. And there is no such thing as "constructive dialogue". There is only "dialogue".

[DesertRhino]

Worked on it for a year. With breakout groups and “stakeholders”. (People who butt into things where they have no input, expertise or money invested. IE, parasites)

[DesertRhino]

Such a statement was succinctly written in 1776. That could have saved you a year and a couple of hundred thousand dollars.

[goodnesswins]

THAT was my thought...there is one already