Intellectual Freedom Under Attack at American Educational Institutions
by erin conner, writer and communications associate
On September 16th, 2024, Dartmouth College aligned its written policies of free speech with First Amendment principles. Consequently, Dartmouth officially reclaimed the overall “green light” speech code rating from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE).
According to a recent article published by FIRE, Dartmouth is the only green light school in the Ivy League, one of four in New Hampshire, and one of 68 nationwide. FIRE awards green light ratings to institutions with no written policies that seriously imperil student free speech rights.
“Say something controversial at most elite colleges and you’re liable to get shouted down, canceled, reported, and disciplined,” said FIRE Director of Policy Reform Laura Beltz. “But Dartmouth has shown it aims to foster a better environment for free speech through adopting these policies and encouraging dialogue across difference.”
According to FIRE, "Dartmouth first earned a green light rating in 2005, but in 2013, the school set up a 'bias incident reporting' protocol that FIRE deemed threatened student speech. Under this protocol, students could be reported by their peers — and investigated and disciplined by administrators — for offenses as minor as 'joke telling' and 'stereotyping.' At the time, FIRE told Dartmouth that the protocol was inconsistent with the school’s stated commitment to free expression, but administrators chose to keep it in place. As a result, in 2015, FIRE was forced to downgrade the school to a “yellow light” rating." 
photo credit: FIRE.org
Dartmouth President Sian Beilock took office in 2023. “As a community committed to learning and growth, Dartmouth thrives on the exchange of diverse viewpoints,” said President Beilock. “It is through the respectful sharing of different perspectives that we challenge our ideas, broaden our understanding, and advance our academic mission. Engaging with voices that differ from our own is not just important—it is essential to creating the kind of dynamic, inclusive environment where true learning takes place.”
FIRE maintains that, under President Beilock, "Dartmouth fixed two flawed policies governing harassment and revised the bias reporting protocol that cost the school its green light nearly a decade ago. These changes still maintain compliance with all applicable legal standards. Bias incidents can still be reported under the new protocol, and students may receive support and community resources. However, the new policy clarifies that speech that is protected under free speech principles will not be subject to investigation or punishment. Actions in violation of Dartmouth’s Nondiscrimination and Anti- Harassment Policy will continue to be investigated under that policy. Beyond revising Dartmouth’s policies, Beilock is passionate about cultivating a culture of free speech, expression, and dissent. As she said in her inaugural address, 'I want our campus to be a place where every member of our community not only feels comfortable expressing unpopular views, but in questioning others who hold views they disagree with.'"
The article continued to note that, "In January 2024, Dartmouth launched Dartmouth Dialogues, an initiative which offers programming dedicated to facilitating conversations that bridge political and personal divides. A cornerstone of Dartmouth Dialogues is the Dialogue Project, which trains students, faculty, and staff to cultivate the respectful and open exchange of ideas.And just last week, Dartmouth announced the expansion of the Open Expression Facilitators program. Open Expression Facilitators are trained faculty and staff who serve as neutral observers at controversial campus events and ensure that deplatforming and disruption do not occur. Until now, Open Expression Facilitators focused on undergraduate events, but now their mission extends to the entire campus community."
The Organization of American Historians defines academic freedom as “the principle of freedom of expression for scholars engaged in discipline-related teaching, learning, research, publication and service.” Academic freedom is a foundational necessity for colleges, faculty members, and students across our country as universities must not be confined to a one-size-fits-all cult of conformity.
For over two decades, Christian Union has defended academic freedom and intellectual discovery at some of our nation's most secular and influential schools, and would love your help to continue this work for the benefit of students and the good of our nation.
Read FIRE's full article here.
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