Princetonians for Free Speech

But beyond the difficult conversations this tragedy has encouraged me to have, I’ve been struck by how this story unfolded: through the determined reporting of student journalists, working primarily through the Sun’s editorial pages, who actively challenged their administration’s silence. The Sun’s efforts to unmask the defendants demonstrate how independent newspapers hold their institutions accountable — particularly amid declining trust in traditional media outlets.

Now, more than ever, student journalists have a responsibility to challenge institutional failure within their campus’ gilded walls. Despite both newspapers being independent from their universities, it is difficult to imagine our paper taking a firm position should a similar event happen on our own campus.

For the first time since 1893, Princeton students took all of their in-person midterm examinations with proctors present. Following the spring faculty vote that upended the University’s 133-year-old precedent set by the Honor Code, this semester’s examinations marked the official return to mandated proctoring.

The change to proctoring was implemented amid growing concerns over the advancement of generative AI and personal electronic devices and how they can make cheating more accessible and less obvious. Students and professors alike expressed their mixed opinions about this shift and its future implications.

But the higher ed politics conversation has come to a screeching halt. On the one hand, Trump seemingly lost his focus; on the other, no groups on the left have put forth an agenda on the issue for a theoretical Democratic-controlled Congress. 

The Brookings Institution, for example, neglected to even use the words “college” or “university” in its new series of essays examining the potential policy effects of a blue wave. This inattention is a serious misstep that could have negative implications for students and colleges in the years to come. Republicans used their power to discredit higher ed: Democrats cannot miss this opportunity to begin rebuilding it — and institutions like Princeton need to help.

American higher education is at a consequential moment. New initiatives devoted to civic education, academic freedom and intellectual diversity are taking root at universities across the country, creating opportunities for philanthropists seeking to strengthen institutions central to American civic life.

Building on this work, the Roundtable recently welcomed Robert P. George as its distinguished fellow for American institutions. George is the McCormick professor of jurisprudence at Princeton University and founder and director of its James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions. Micah Sagebiel, senior vice president at Philanthropy Roundtable, met with George to explore promising developments in higher education, where targeted philanthropic investment can make a real difference, the qualities reform-minded leaders need, and why honoring donors’ charitable intentions remains essential. 

I’ve spent 25 years watching colleges find new ways to suppress speech. I wish I could say the latest dismal campus record surprises me.

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, the organization I lead, has tracked more than 200 attempts to shut down campus speakers, cancel performances or otherwise suppress expression in 2026 so far. No previous year reached 200. And for the second year running, of those attempts that had a political tenor, more have come from the political right than from the left: 116 to 64 in 2025, and 96 to 74 so far this year.

Ahead of tomorrow’s midterm elections, Inside Higher Ed and Hanover Research asked 1,665 faculty members how their jobs have changed since 2024, including whether they’re self-censoring on hot-button issues and if they’d like to stay or leave their current state. The survey also asked about the impact AI has had on their relationships with students.

Hundreds of respondents reported all kinds of self-censorship. Nearly half—47 percent—of faculty members said that they’re refraining from making extramural utterances, such as posting on Facebook, because of the situation on their campus or the political environment at large.