Ben Sasse, the President of University of Florida. Wall Street JournalExplains his approach to protesting and speaking at the University of Florida. Outlines three principles other universities might consider.
First, universities need to distinguish between words and deeds. Speech is essential to education. It is our responsibility to discover knowledge, to pass it along to the future generation, and to cultivate a free-thinking environment where ideas can debated. Hecklers shouldn’t have a veto, and the best arguments deserve the best rebuttal.
We must acknowledge that violence is not speech in order to uphold the First Amendment while condemning illegal conduct. Violence is always violence. We have an obligation to protect free speech and ensure the safety of students, while discouraging violent and destructive behaviors.
Second, universities need to practice what they preach and have consequences for their actions. It is not productive to make empty threats. Universities should be firm in their defense of community and educational missions, and not appease disruptive behavior.
Thirdly, the universities should commit to real education by fostering curiosity and humbleness towards a variety of ideas instead of giving in to dogmatic views on identity politics which promote division and broad judgments.
In the article, it was revealed that the University of Florida is currently implementing a three-yearsStudents who violate the rules could face suspension or bans from campus. Sasse stressed the importance of upholding rules and consequences for students’ actions.
