UC Center for Free Speech & Civic Engagement

🚨 New #SpeechMatters podcast alert! Tune in to “A Conversation with UC President James B. Milliken” with guest @ucprez James B. Milliken. @UofCalifornia ▶️ buff.ly/SgCWhIa

The University of Tennessee System is updating its academic freedom and tenure policies to comply with a new state law. Read more:👇 buff.ly/LcAXJBV

A new North Carolina law prohibits public colleges from reporting or investigating unwanted speech that is protected by the First Amendment.👇 buff.ly/5uIOm59

A new bill introduced in Ohio would give civic centers at public universities more power in curriculum development and faculty matters, raising concerns about shared governance. buff.ly/CflnVS5

A former University of Tennessee at Knoxville professor reached a settlement in her lawsuit against the university. Her lawsuit alleged she was fired in retaliation for speech protected by the First Amendment. 🔗 buff.ly/SniNosM

A national advocacy group filed a lawsuit against the UC system alleging its anti-harassment policies violate free speech. Read more: buff.ly/ujTji0H

Center Executive Director Michelle Deutchman comments on student expression and campus free speech. Read more: ⤵️ buff.ly/PTKPWyN

It was great to join Michelle Deutchman, Executive Director of @ucfreespeech, on the #SpeechMatters podcast. We talked about all things free speech and higher education. I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did.

The American Association of Colleges and Universities released a framework for advancing public trust in higher education. Read it here: buff.ly/TRiiasD

UC President James B. Milliken joined @ucfreespeech #SpeechMatters podcast to reflect on his decades-long career in higher education, the unique responsibilities of public universities and the state of free expression and academic freedom on today’s campuses. 🎧 bit.ly/3AOzSzq

Fellows Jackie Pedota (22-23) and Eliza Epstein (23-24) describe the effects of anti-DEI laws and how colleges (over-)comply with them. Read the op-ed: buff.ly/hVYehdX

Center Executive Director Michelle Deutchman argues that safeguarding free expression in higher education requires stakeholders having a deeper understanding of its value and purpose. ⬇️ buff.ly/mPgwGDH

Center National Advisory Board Member Mark Yudof discusses institutional neutrality and how to determine who can (and cannot) speak on behalf of universities. 🔗 buff.ly/DotWoY8

A newly released report on scholarship in the humanities and humanistic social sciences has stirred up controversy with its claims that certain disciplines have substituted rigorous research for furthering political aims. Read the report: buff.ly/RtSsOet

Diabetes researchers were removed from a conference in New Orleans after handing out copies of an editorial criticizing the Trump administration.👇buff.ly/bKTmyMV

The University of Nebraska at Kearney discontinued the use of a human-sexuality textbook following a student complaint, a move that Pen America says raises concerns about growing campus censorship. Read more: buff.ly/jYD3Tcc

A faculty senate survey found that restrictions on race, gender and sexuality introduced at Texas Tech University last year led faculty to change or field requests to change content for 277 courses. Many respondents cited concerns about academic freedom. buff.ly/jYqkpxm

Legislation signed in Iowa will require future undergraduates at the state’s three public universities to take courses in American history and government designated by civic centers. 🔗 buff.ly/JDtP8WY

A federal judge ruled that the U.S. Military Academy at West Point cannot enforce two speech policies that a law professor alleges were intended to suppress faculty speech. ⬇️ buff.ly/SNUxlJi

🚨 Our 2026-27 VOICE Initiative applications close TODAY! Get those applications in by tonight at 11:59 pm PT 👇 buff.ly/iguJq9m