Free speech on college campuses has become one of higher education's most volatile and defining challenges. In this episode, <a href= "https://changinghighered.com/dr-drumm-mcnaughton-higher-education-consultant/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dr. Drumm McNaughton</a> talks with <a href= "https://www.thefire.org/about-us/our-team/sean-stevens?category=1582" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dr. Sean Stevens</a>, Chief Research Advisor at FIRE—the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression—about findings from FIRE's newly released <a title= "2026 College Free Speech Rankings" href= "https://www.thefire.org/research-learn/2026-college-free-speech-rankings"> College Free Speech Rankings</a> and the state of academic freedom, the growing political pressures on universities, and how presidents and boards can protect open dialogue in today's divided climate. Topics Covered: <ul data-start="641" data-end="1269"> <li data-start="641" data-end="772"> Why FIRE expanded its mission beyond higher education and no longer stands for "Foundation for Individual Rights in Education." </li> <li data-start="773" data-end="898"> How FIRE's College Free Speech Rankings and Scholars Under FIRE survey measure tolerance and academic freedom nationwide. </li> <li data-start="899" data-end="986"> What the data shows about declining political tolerance among students and faculty. </li> <li data-start="987" data-end="1071"> How government pressure is influencing faculty terminations and speech policies. </li> <li data-start="1072" data-end="1159"> The role of leadership in maintaining consistent, transparent free speech policies. </li> <li data-start="1160" data-end="1269"> Examples from Vanderbilt and Dartmouth showing how structured dialogue programs improve campus discourse. </li> </ul> Three Takeaways for University Presidents and Boards: <ol data-start="1331" data-end="1750"> <li data-start="1331" data-end="1462"> Establish and Communicate Bright Lines – Define clear speech policies and enforce them consistently across all viewpoints. </li> <li data-start="1463" data-end="1591"> Stand Firm in Times of Controversy – Uphold principles of free expression even when political or donor pressure mounts. </li> <li data-start="1592" data-end="1750"> Promote Civic Dialogue and Intellectual Diversity – Support programs that help students and faculty engage constructively across ideological divides. </li> </ol> Read the transcript or extended show summary: <a href= "https://changinghighered.com/free-speech-on-college-campuses-fire-report/"> https://changinghighered.com/free-speech-on-college-campuses-fire-report/</a> #HigherEducation #FreeSpeech #FIRE&nbsp;

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Free Speech on College Campuses: Insights from FIRE's 2025 Report

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