Here's What Students are Saying about Free Speech at Furman
Here's What Students are Saying about Free Speech at Furman
"In many of my classes I avoid expressing my opinion simply because I don’t want to drop my grade."
Last week, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) released their annual College Free Speech Rankings, and Furman University was ranked low at 221st out of 251 schools. In addition to some alarming statistics about self-censorship on campus, the survey included quotes from several anonymous Furman students.
Identified only by class year, students shared moments when they felt they could not expression their opinion on campus. Read some of those quotes below:
"In many of my classes I avoid expressing my opinion simply because I don’t want to drop my grade." — Class of 2026
"Last year, a student staged a silent pro-life protest. I felt very afraid to express solidarity with the student, because a crowd had gathered and begun to chant slogans and profanities at the protestor. The social repercussions for students who joined the protestor (reactions from other students) were strongly negative after the fact, as well." — Class of 2026
“I didn't want any of my friends in that class to look at me differently after hearing my opinion." — Class of 2025
“I felt like my views and opinions were stereotyped throughout my four years at [Furman] and [I] never really expressed my opinions because other students and administrators felt like they knew my beliefs just because of my campus affiliations." — Class of 2024
“I have often felt my chest tighten and my mouth run dry and fear that the professor would, when in a classroom scenario of his/her manufacturing, notice the fact that I had not in fact volunteered my pronouns or voiced support for something everyone else was loudly celebrating." — Class of 2026
63% of Furman students say they self-censor at least once or twice a month, and it’s clear to see why: students regularly experience social and academic fear over sharing their beliefs. How will Furman help create a campus environment where students can feel safe sharing their beliefs?
The Furman Free Speech Alliance is not associated with Furman University. We are friends of Furman dedicated to promoting free expression, academic freedom, and viewpoint diversity at Furman University.