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Free Speech at MSU Denver
“MSU Denver is committed to empowering students to actively participate in and sustain the democratic process. Free expression and academic freedom are indispensable to fulfilling this mission.
I strongly believe that free expression and inquiry, which should flourish at universities, are key to maintaining a healthy civil society, and indeed our diverse democratic republic. This mission not only prepares individual students for active roles in society, but also serves the greater good by reinforcing and upholding the democratic values that promote a just and equitable society.
Together we can embrace our diversity while balancing free speech with the rights and safety of the entire campus community.”
Janine Davidson, Ph.D.
President, MSU Denver
Read MSU Denver’s full statement on free expression and inquiry and learn more about the free speech leadership of the University and President Janine Davidson below.
Bipartisan leaders and dialogue experts discuss freedom of speech and democracy
President Davidson joins Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, a Democrat; former Colorado Secretary of State Wayne Williams, a Republican; Katia Campbell, Ph.D., professor and chair of Communication Studies; and MSU Denver General Counsel David Fine in a conversation titled “Free Speech and the Art of Democracy.”
Collaborating with the Bipartisan Policy Center
MSU Denver has been collaborating with the Bipartisan Policy Center on its Campus Free Expression project. General Counsel David Fine has participated in Executive Symposia on: “Institutional Speech and the Collegiate Mission” and “Discourse Across Difference: Harmonizing Free Expression, Academic Freedom, and DEI,” and “Executive Leadership on Campus Free Expression.”
Fine was also a panelist on a BPC-sponsored Webinar, “From Banned Books to Democratic Disagreement: Courses on Free Expression”.
"At MSU Denver, the president won’t protect you from what you don’t want to hear"
President Davidson discusses free expression on college campuses with the Denver Post.
President's message on free expression and inquiry
Dear Members of the MSU Denver Community:
I strongly believe that free expression and inquiry, which should flourish at universities, are key to maintaining a healthy civic society, and indeed our diverse democratic republic. Read Davidson’s full message.
Davidson teaches "Freedom of Speech" class
President Davidson and General Counsel David Fine teach “Freedom of Speech,” a communications class exploring the philosophical and legal origins of freedom of speech in America, and its role in preserving a functioning democracy. The class delves into provocative and controversial topics and considers the necessity of discussing contentious issues civilly in an increasingly polarized society that is more and more reliant on social media.
The Freedom of Hate Speech; a Call for Civil Dialogue
MSU Denver Professor Katia Campbell presents at TEDxMSUDenver about the need to understand our responsibilities when it comes to free speech and the consequences of unfettered hate speech in our culture.