言论自由和探究自由

2022年8月8日

Dear Members of the 密歇根州立大学丹佛 Community:

I strongly believe that free expression and inquiry, which should flourish at universities, are key to maintaining a healthy civic society, and indeed our diverse democratic republic. 从2017 - 20, I had the honor of serving on the 国家 Commission on Military, 国家, and Public Service — our mission was to inspire more Americans to engage in public service. 的 委员会的报告 状态:

的 United States continues to be a radical experiment in inclusive representative democracy, unique in the history of the world. What makes it so radical and so exceptional is the combination of its ever evolving and expanding civil society together with the open and free discourse that fuels its political system. 在最好的情况下, these characteristics enable the United States to confront or prevent crises and to seize opportunities by harnessing the power of diversity of thought, 尊敬的辩论, and collaboration focused on a common purpose.

It was in this spirit that I convened a task force with broad representation across our University community to create a 自由表达声明. Our 自由表达声明 calls out the importance of free expression and inquiry to the University mission and community but makes clear that members of the 密歇根州立大学丹佛 community owe one another the basic respect of human beings engaged in a common or mutual endeavor. At the core of respectful dialogue is an outstanding liberal arts and sciences education, which we proudly provide at 密歇根州立大学丹佛.

Our country’s history is not pure, and we have not been at our best lately when it comes to discourse. 的 country was founded on the backs of slaves, and only relatively recently in our history did we recognize and attempt to rectify the legacy of Jim Crow. 的re is still much more work to be done to realize the vision of a true multicultural representative democracy. And free speech and respectful dialogue is at the core of that work.

Free speech and inquiry protect us against dogmatism and groupthink, from both the left and the right, and allow a robust collision of ideas among our diverse population. 我是一个lso convinced that free expression and DEI can coexist. In fact, expression is more robust in a diverse community. 到目前为止, our statement encourages members of the 密歇根州立大学丹佛 community to respond and to speak out clearly against speech that violates our principles and commitment to nurture a diverse, inclusive and safe learning community where all members are empowered to express themselves.

的 自由表达声明 received the support of key University stakeholders and was approved by our 校董会. Thank you to 总法律顾问 David Fine, 谁领导了这项工作?, and to all the Roadrunners who engaged in this inclusive process.

真诚地,

珍妮·戴维森博士.D.
丹佛州立大学校长

Free Speech and the Art of Democracy

星期四,9月. 15, 2022 
2:30 – 3:30 p.m. 
CAVEA 的atre (Jordan Student Success Building 420) 

Free speech is foundational to a healthy democracy, where every person has a voice. But how far does that freedom extend? Explore the boundaries of this American ideal 作为专家小组成员讨论 and dissect the intricacies of expression on 星期四,9月. 2022年9月15日下午2:30-3:30.m. 在CAVEA剧院(JSSB 420).  

密歇根州立大学丹佛 President 珍妮·戴维森博士.D., convened a task force with broad representation across the University community to create our 自由表达声明. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser will weigh in and provide insight from his leadership in similar conversations across the state along with Wayne Williams, former Colorado Secretary of State; Katia Campbell, Communication Studies Professor and Chair; and David Fine, 总法律顾问.