Dear students, faculty, and staff,

Yesterday, as part of our Presidential Lecture Series, we had the privilege of hearing Nadine Strossen share her perspective in the annual George Aiken lecture. Her presentation, titled Hate: Why We Should Resist It with Free Speech, Not Censorship, was truly impactful. Professor Strossen is a renowned scholar, author, and commentator on free speech, an emerita professor at the New York University Law School, and the former president of the American Civil Liberties Union. The event began with a short documentary narrated by Strossen called Bodies Upon the Gears, about the origins of the free speech movement on college campuses. President Emeritus and Professor of Political Science Tom Sullivan, himself an expert on free speech and the First Amendment, had an insightful and wide-ranging conversation with Strossen, and attendees added meaningful comments and questions. I encourage those of you who were unable to attend to view the recording, which will be posted on the Presidential Lecture Series website shortly.

I cannot think of a better time to have these critical conversations and host experts like Nadine Strossen on our campus. With all that we face as a nation and a community and a tightly contested election taking place next week, we must remember the importance of protecting and valuing free speech. As we do that, we must also remember and lean into Our Common Ground values of respect and responsibility. That is:

  • We listen to each other, encourage each other, and care about each other. We are strengthened by our diverse perspectives.
  • We are personally and collectively responsible for our words and deeds. We stand together to uphold Our Common Ground.

Let us not be divided by our differences, and instead continue to recognize that our differences are a strength, and that we can choose to come together despite and even because of our differences. Let us express our joys and frustrations with the awareness that we live, study, and work together in community. Let us be kind and seek understanding. We are stronger as a university and as a nation when we do.

Warmly,
Patty