Princeton Free Speech News & Commentary

Faculty pass proposal to prevent the issuance of faculty-wide political statements

May 30, 2025 1 min read

Nikki Han
Daily Princetonian 

Excerpt: Princeton University faculty can only vote on proposals that are “actionable within the context of university operations,” not those simply expressing political positions or beliefs, after a vote at the faculty meeting on April 28.

Hundreds of faculty members filled the entire lower section of Alexander Hall in Richardson Auditorium for the vote. Ultimately, an overwhelming majority of faculty members supported the passing of the following amendment to Section II.C.2 of the Rules and Procedures of the Faculty, introduced by the Ad-hoc Committee on Faculty-Wide Statements:

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Under Second Trump Administration, Free Speech Debate at Princeton Intensifies

May 28, 2025 1 min read

By Harrison Blackman ’17

Princeton Alumni Weekly

In many ways, Marisa Hirschfield ’27 represents the typical high-achieving Princeton student. A history major, Hirschfield writes for the Triangle Club and is interested in filmmaking and public interest law. Like many Princetonians, she identifies as politically progressive.

But where Hirschfield’s resume diverges from many of her classmates is that she serves as a writing fellow for Princetonians for Free Speech (PFS), a nonprofit founded by Stuart Taylor Jr. ’70 and Ed Yingling ’70 that seeks to promote free speech and academic freedom on campus. At Princeton, the free speech issue has been contested for the past several years but mostly involved conservative students who felt that they were being silenced or bullied for their views.

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Class Day and Baccalaureate Speakers Touch on Political Climate, Free Speech

May 27, 2025 1 min read

Hope Perry ’24 and Julie Bonette
Princeton Alumni Weekly

Excerpt: The Class of 2025’s Class Day celebration on Monday, May 26, was met with an overwhelmingly positive response even after a movement to condemn the choice of wellness podcaster Jay Shetty ’25 as the keynote speaker.

Students had objected to Shetty because of allegations that he has engaged in plagiarism. The New York Times bestselling author and former monk told members of the class that they should focus on their own purpose and happiness rather than the opinions of others.

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PFS Student Survey Shows Increased Awareness of Free Speech Principles, but Little Understanding of What Free Speech Looks Like in Practice

May 22, 2025 7 min read

By Leslie Spencer

The Princetonians for Free Speech (PFS) third annual survey of Princeton students is now available. Comparative data over three years provides valuable information and insight into changes in student views and progress in student knowledge of and attitudes toward free speech, academic freedom and viewpoint diversity. The 2025 report shows some progress on questions such as awareness of campus free speech rules. Other results, for instance on the question of shutting down controversial campus events, are worse as compared to the last two years. The number of students who support the use of violence is up. Overall, Princeton still has much work to do to create a robust culture of free speech, academic freedom and respect for widely divergent viewpoints.

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Princeton Reunions

May 21, 2025 1 min read

New Reunions policy information regarding free expression

Excerpt: As we enter this celebratory time, please be reminded of the University’s principles and policies related to free expression. Our Statement on Freedom of Expression  guarantees our community “the broadest possible latitude to speak, write, listen, challenge, and learn,” while also noting that members of our community “may not obstruct or otherwise interfere with the freedom of others to express views they reject or even loathe.”

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Email to PFS from from Bobby Ramkisson of FIRE

May 16, 2025 1 min read

Subject: New FIRE Report Launches: Students Under Fire

FIRE just launched the Students Under Fire database and its first report. This new resource tracks efforts to punish students and student groups for protected speech—just as Scholars Under Fire has done for faculty. Alarmingly, on a per-year basis, student sanction attempts outpace even our previous datasets. I think this will be a powerful tool for alumni seeking to better understand and respond to the real threats facing students today.

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