Free Speech on College Campuses: Insights from FIRE's 2025 Report

Free speech on college campuses has become one of higher education's most volatile and defining challenges. In this episode, Dr. Drumm McNaughton talks with Dr. Sean Stevens, Chief Research Advisor at FIRE—the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression—about findings from FIRE's newly released College Free Speech Rankings and the state of academic freedom, the growing political pressures on universities, and how presidents and boards can protect open dialogue in today's divided climate.

Topics Covered:

• Why FIRE expanded its mission beyond higher education and no longer stands for "Foundation for Individual Rights in Education."

• How FIRE's College Free Speech Rankings and Scholars Under FIRE survey measure tolerance and academic freedom nationwide.

• What the data shows about declining political tolerance among students and faculty.

• How government pressure is influencing faculty terminations and speech policies.

• The role of leadership in maintaining consistent, transparent free speech policies.

• Examples from Vanderbilt and Dartmouth showing how structured dialogue programs improve campus discourse.

Three Takeaways for University Presidents and Boards:

1. Establish and Communicate Bright Lines – Define clear speech policies and enforce them consistently across all viewpoints.

2. Stand Firm in Times of Controversy – Uphold principles of free expression even when political or donor pressure mounts.

3. Promote Civic Dialogue and Intellectual Diversity – Support programs that help students and faculty engage constructively across ideological divides.

Read the transcript or extended show summary: https://changinghighered.com/free-speech-on-college-campuses-fire-report/

#HigherEducation #FreeSpeech #FIRE