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Campus protests over the Israel-Hamas war demand that universities uphold an environment of free expression while enforcing policies that prevent serious disruption of the academic work of a university. (See the article “Student groups call out U. of C., UIC, claim freedom of speech restricted,” Dec. 19.) Unfortunately, the Tribune story sidesteps this underlying issue.
At the core of free expression is the ability “to discuss any problem that presents itself,” in the words of former University of Chicago President Robert Maynard Hutchins. This means a university should not “shield individuals from ideas and opinions they find unwelcome, disagreeable, or even deeply offensive,” as the U. of C. affirmed in the 2014 Chicago Principles.
However, when protests are overly disruptive, they can actually undermine free speech. Pro-Palestine speech should be protected, as should pro-Israel speech. Protest and dissent are also protected — insofar as the disruption they cause does not curtail the rights of others or impede the functioning of the university. That especially includes classes where professors can teach, students can learn and academic discourse flourishes. Just as no one is free to threaten or harass others, no one is free to disrupt classes. Policies that forbid serious disruption are not only reasonable, but they also are essential to maintaining free expression for everyone.
Thus, protests that occupy campus buildings for extended periods, like the multihour Nov. 9 sit-in at the U. of C., violate the freedom of others.
As U. of C. President Paul Alivisatos recently reminded us, free expression is a gift that comes with real responsibilities. That is especially true during this time of intense debate and disagreement.
— Tony Banout, executive director, University of Chicago Forum for Free Inquiry and Expression
Respect the core mission
As a recipient of two degrees from the University of Chicago, I have never been so proud of that institution as I was after reading “Student groups call out U. of C., UIC, claim freedom of speech restricted.”
Law student Katja Stroke-Adolphe claims the university refused to address student concerns over Israel’s actions in Gaza. How were those concerns expressed? Twenty-six protesting students were arrested for disrupting university operations by sitting in a campus building. Other protesters violated university policy by posting their grievances on trees on the main campus and demanding a meeting with university President Paul Alivisatos to convey their grievances.
In response, Gerald McSwiggan, the university’s associate director for public affairs, invoked a principle, expressed in the 1967 Kalven Report that has long guided the university’s approach against taking collective positions on political or social issues outside its core mission of “discovery, improvement, and dissemination of knowledge.” Indeed, the university’s approach to expressions on political and social issues has become a beacon of reason in American higher education.
It is tragic that some students are willing to trample on the legitimate mission-oriented policies of a great university on behalf of their own ideological causes. Stroke-Adolphe and others of her student group should know the difference between demanding to be heard and expressing their opinions in a way that respects their university’s core values. Ignorance of those values is not a worthy excuse for violating university policy.
Perhaps the University of Chicago is not doing enough to emphasize its core mission during new student orientations. And, perhaps, as a requirement, those who seek admission should display a knowledge and acceptance of the university’s core values and policies.
— Erwin H. Epstein, Glenview
A hypothetical situation
I have been following the calls for Harvard University President Claudine Gay and Illinois NAACP President Teresa Haley to resign their respective positions due to recent controversial comments. In the name of equity and inclusion, wouldn’t a simple test be to answer the question: What if their comments were made by a middle-aged white male?
If the hypothetical male were to keep his job, so should they; if not, they shouldn’t either.
— Scott Lauder, Webster, Wisconsin
Inspiring work at food pantry
In September, I began volunteering at the West Suburban Community Pantry in Woodridge. What an experience to be surrounded by so many dedicated volunteers. Many with five, 10, 15 years of dedicated service. So many suppliers donating thousands of pounds of food and much needed items to be sorted and distributed to those in need.
This holiday season, please donate to support local pantries. This is truly where the war on hunger is being fought. And to you seniors out there looking for something to do, volunteer.
— William Murry, Downers Grove
Seeing beauty in football
Football is a beautiful sport with strategy and action and a complicated series of movements, always unpredictable, because no two plays ever put all 22 players in the same spot once the ball is snapped. When you add to that a quarterback whose movements are also unpredictable, who can pass, on occasion, like the best quarterbacks, and who can run, on occasion, like the best running backs, you have much of the beauty of the sport in one package.
When the game is lost or won, none of us watchers gains or loses anything based on the final score. What we remember either way is a few plays that made us smile. Win or lose, Bears quarterback Justin Fields always gives us a few of them.
— Howard Cohen, Wilmette
Dreams are a precious gift
Chicago Tribune Opinion
Our dreams are a miracle of the mind. Family, living and deceased; friends; former classmates and colleagues; giants of history; and celebrities are vivid, alive and engaging in my dreams. My brother and I once fought Rasputin to the death. I have been buddies with Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. I am frequently visited by my long-passed parents.
Just the other night, I met Julia Louis-Dreyfus at the New York Public Library. Go figure!
There is no rhyme or reason to my dream encounters. They are an unfathomable product of my brain. In this season of giving, I regard my dreams as one of the most precious gifts of my life.
— Richard Nolan, Park Ridge
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