20 | FEBRUARY 22 • 2024 J
N

T

he University of Michigan Board
of Regents approved a new state-
ment on free speech during a spe-
cial meeting on Jan. 16.
The “Principles on Diversity of
Thought and Freedom of Expression”
note the university is “guided by the let-
ter and spirit of the First Amendment”
and its commitment to freedom of
expression is consistent with its commit-
ment to “nurturing a diverse, equitable,
inclusive community.”
The updated principles were drafted by
university faculty and officials, and the
final approved statement reflects com-
ments received from faculty, staff, stu-
dents and alumni. Tim Lynch, the uni-
versity’s vice president and general coun-
sel, shepherded the process of developing
and refining the statement. It’s been 35
years since the university approved such
a statement.
President Santa Ono said at this time
of great division, it is vital U-M remains
fully committed to freedom of speech
and diversity of thought.
Regent Jordan Acker
believes the statement is an
important reaffirmation of
U-M’s values as an insti-
tution and very important
overall at this moment in
time. Acker gives an “enor-
mous amount” of credit to
Regent Mark Bernstein for spearheading
it.
“To reaffirm those values, but also
update them for the era of social media
and the era of today — and doing so by
getting significant community input —
they really did a phenomenal job,” Acker
said.
Acker says this is a “big moment” for
academic institutions, in light of the

“simmering ideological battle” over what
kind of speech is allowed in academic
and university environments.
“Free speech exists for all of us, and it’s
worth defending for all of us,” he said. “I
think we have to protect it on both sides.”
There’s been a lot of debate about free
speech on college campuses since Oct. 7
in regards to Israel and Palestine. Acker
says this statement wasn’t brought up
because of that specifically, as it’s been
in the works for a long time, but it’s not
totally unrelated.
“I think activism on Israel and
Palestine and Gaza is a perfect example
of us, as an academic community, need-
ing to do a better job at understanding
where the limits and where the borders
are in what our free speech rights are,
versus the free speech rights of others to
learn,” Acker said.
The statement says the practice of
confronting controversial topics is a hall-
mark of U-M’s culture.
“We uphold the right to intellectual
freedom by practicing firm traditions
of self-criticism, by learning to respect
differences of opinion and belief, and by
recognizing that the progress of a society
is inextricably linked to a diversity of

opinions and beliefs and the freedom to
express them,” the statement says.
That commitment makes the U-M
community stronger, the statement adds.
“We affirm the value of exchanging
ideas; questioning assumptions;
learning from those with whom we
disagree and those whose voices have
been marginalized; challenging views
we find misguided or pernicious; and
engaging with the broadest range of
scholarly subjects and materials. We
strive to meet conflict and controversy
with understanding and reason, refuting
our opponents rather than revoking
invitations or refusing them a platform,
and contesting their ideas instead of
attacking their character.”
While affirming speech rights, the
statement says, “not all ideas are of equal
value” and they “must be subject to
intense scrutiny and thoughtful debate.”
“Our deep commitment to free
expression does not extend to speech
or conduct that violates the law or
University policy, including targeted
speech that constitutes bullying,
defamation, destruction of property,
discrimination, harassment, violence or
threats.”

Statement is a long time coming.

U-M Board of Regents Adopts
New Statement on Free Speech

Jordan
Acker

DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER

OUR COMMUNITY