FIRE Reports D-Minus Average Across 261 Colleges

Several U.S. universities and organizations are highlighting First Amendment protections and campus free expression. Montana State University announced a public lecture by constitutional scholar Erwin Chemerinsky on free speech challenges facing American universities, while UW-Eau Claire–Barron County scheduled a presentation on Supreme Court interpretations of speech protections, including rules for public forums and educational institutions. FIRE’s 2027 College Free Speech Rankings, based on a survey of nearly 63,000 students at 261 schools, describe a difficult climate in which students may censor themselves or support restricting opposing views; the article also notes disciplinary consequences for some speech. Separately, the News/Media Alliance promotes Free Speech Week as a nonpartisan effort to raise awareness of free speech and a free press.