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

