Princeton Free Speech Rules

On Sunday, May 24, Princetonians for Free Speech (PFS) hosted a breakfast at the Nassau Inn — and despite dreary skies outside, the energy inside couldn't have been brighter. About 70 alumni, current students and other free speech supporters turned out for what proved to be an engaging and inspiring morning.

Kenneth Chan
Daily Princetonian

Excerpt: In late September, Princeton Politics Professor Robert George published a column in the New York Times, in which he urged young conservatives to “exercise and … defend your right to think for yourself” in the face of a “hostile” campus community. Days before, my colleague, Head Opinion Editor Eleanor Clemans-Cope, published a column arguing that “to insist on the importance of liberals engaging with these debates is insisting on an ideological project that launders harmful, fringe opinions back into mainstream society.”

Yet both of these columns’ bellicose calls to opposite sides of the political spectrum neglect fundamental truths. Our pluralistic society only works if we are willing to engage with all sorts of opinions, no matter how repulsive. But we must also debate with intellectual responsibility: We need to scrutinize our own opinions as rigorously as possible in light of new information.

Foundation for Individual Rights in Expression and College Pulse
 
Excerpt: For the fourth year in a row, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), a nonprofit organization committed to defending and sustaining the individual rights of all Americans to free speech and free thought, and College Pulse surveyed college undergraduates about their perceptions and experiences regarding free speech on their campuses.

Last year, Princeton demonstrated a “below average” speech climate ranking #169 of 203. This year, Princeton ranked 187 of 248 and continued to maintain a “below average” rating.

Princetonians for Free Speech Summary of College Pulse / FIRE Data

Excerpt: Princeton ranked 187 out of 248 schools in the 2024 College Free Speech Ranking. While the school ranked 32nd for students’ surveyed comfort in expressing their ideas, Princeton suffered in their “Disruptive Conduct” score (ranked 186th), and the measured difference in tolerance for liberal versus conservative speakers (ranked 184th). Princeton also maintains a “Red light” speech code.

One surveyed Princeton student noted: "The time people came to a publicly available spot on campus and were campaigning[sic] for their beliefs which I didn't agree with, but was appalled at the response from students trying to bar their free speech. Everyone is garunteed[sic] rights and it is against the credo of a Princeton Student to be disengenous[sic] to free speech - regardless if you agree with what they say."

By Edward Yingling and Stuart Taylor, Jr.
Daily Princetonian

Excerpt: In its May 2 article entitled “A decade later: a split legacy for Eisgruber,” the Daily Princetonian erred in saying that “Edward Yingling ’70 and Stuart Taylor ’70, co-founders of Princetonians for Free Speech” (PFS) argued that Eisgruber’s decision to fire then-professor Joshua Katz would “destroy Princeton’s acclaimed free speech rule” — making the free speech rule one that would protect only a small subset of the speech that the rule’s language and intent clearly do protect.

Princeton showed great progress in its positive presentation on free speech during this year's orientation, but much work remains to be done, as shown in the just released annual free speech rankings from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE).