The Brian Lehrer Show Princeton President Talks Campus Speech and Politics
Oct 1, 2025
Christopher Eisgruber, President of Princeton University and constitutional law scholar, delves into the balance between free speech and inclusivity on college campuses. He discusses the challenges faced by conservative voices and the nuances of enforcing campus rules, especially in politically charged situations. Eisgruber emphasizes the importance of civility in academic discourse while acknowledging the difficulty of maintaining it in the face of human rights violations. He also addresses the intersection of federal funding and academic freedom, warning of ongoing pressures on universities.
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Colleges Balance Speech And Equality
- Colleges must support free speech and equality simultaneously, which is a demanding assignment in a polarized era.
- Despite high-profile incidents, Christopher Eisgruber argues campuses overall handle this balance better than public perception suggests.
High-Profile Disruptions Versus Daily Dialogue
- Eisgruber cites events like the shouting down of Judge Kyle Duncan and the attacks on Charles Murray as high-profile failures.
- He contrasts these with millions of successful daily campus conversations and lectures that go largely unreported.
Polarization Erodes Campus Dialogue
- Polarization makes people view opponents as morally evil, which obstructs constructive campus dialogue.
- Social media intensifies this divide, increasing difficulty for campuses to foster cross-partisan discussion.
