Panelists Discuss Free Speech at BC at BCAAUP Event

Isabel Sullivan • March 20, 2022

The BC chapter of the American Association of University Professors hosted a virtual forum, welcoming Melnick, Lindsey O'Rourke, Kent Greenfield, and Patricia Lowe to discuss academic freedom and campus speech on Tuesday evening.

Professor Melnick is Right, We Have a Free Speech Problem … So Now What?

Dennis J. Wieboldt III • February 20, 2022

R. Shep Melnick—the Thomas P. O’Neill, Jr. professor of American politics—recently submitted an op-ed to The Heights titled “Our Free Speech Problem.” In his op-ed, Melnick observes the “disturbing”...

Our Free Speech Problem

R. Shep Melnick • January 27, 2022

As Olivia Strong reported in a Heights article last semester, Boston College fared extremely poorly in the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) ranking of free speech on campus—151th...

BC Ranked No. 151 of 159 U.S. Colleges for Free Speech

Olivia Strong • October 31, 2021

In early October, the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), in conjunction with College Pulse and RealClearEducation, released a report ranking the free speech climate at American colleges. Boston College, a university unaccustomed to finding itself at the bottom of rankings, was ranked 151 out of 154, with a total of 159 schools surveyed.

LTE: In Response to: “Two Students Accused of Property Damage For Chalking”

Letters • April 18, 2018

"This is because the snowflakes at BC aren’t college students. They’re administrators."

Experts in Law Praise Free Speech on College Campuses

Myroslav Dobroshynskyi • March 21, 2018

“There’s so much that colleges and universities can do, so as to make sure that it’s an inclusive community for all students,” said Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the University of California at Berkeley School of Law.

Protecting Free Speech in College

Matthew Kelly • February 26, 2018

"In the Twentieth century, radical leftists were ostracized, but today, people target anyone from a moderately right leaning politician to a classical libertarian."

The Irony of “Free Speech”

Josh Behrens • October 15, 2017

"Yet, time and time again, campus conservatives do exactly what they accuse the left of doing: silencing people's right to speak."

Universities Nationwide Must Guarantee Freedom of Speech

The Heights Editorial Board • October 1, 2017

"In today’s starkly divided America, such mutual understanding and capability for communication is essential for bridging the gaps that exist between us."

When Unregistered Means Unwanted

Rachel Loos • September 24, 2017

"We all deserve the right to voice our opinions. Forcing students to get approval for demonstrations is effectively censoring us, and we need spaces that are available for everyone to voice their ideas."

New Demonstrations Policy Marks Necessary Clarification

The Heights Editorial Board • September 10, 2017

"Shifting the focus from conflicts regarding conduct policy to conversations about issues such as racial equality on campus represents the first step in returning to a productive relationship between student activism groups and the BC administration."

Faculty and Students Engage in Debate at Free Speech Forum

Abigail Druhot • April 20, 2017

The Faculty for Justice have endorsed a list of proposals initially compiled by the Undergraduate Government of BC, which pushed for a revamped free expression policy on campus. This list was discussed at the event.