Responding to President Davis in the Post & Courier
On March 1, President Davis published a commentary with the Post & Courier that highlighted Furman’s new Statement on Freedom of Inquiry and Expression and sought to paint Furman as a champion of free speech.
Furman Free Speech Alliance applauds the statement as a step in the right direction. However, we maintain that it is only one step — hopefully, the first of many.
To help readers understand the reasons why Furman’s new statement was necessary, we submitted a letter-to-the-editor emphasizing the intolerant campus culture that exists on campus and the work that still needs to be done.
You can read that letter below. It can also be accessed online here.
To the Editor
The Post and Courier
March 2, 2024
Everyone should welcome Furman University’s Statement on Freedom of Inquiry and Expression as presented by its President, Elizabeth Davis (3/1/24). Such a statement was the first goal of the Furman Free Speech Alliance (FFSA), which was formed to make the case for free expression and to protect academic freedom on campus. The statement is a good step toward meeting a serious problem with Furman’s culture. Just consider two recent surveys – one by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA), the other by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE)– which expose a frightening intolerance of free speech and widespread self-censorship by Furman students. The ACTA survey finds that 39% of students believe it is always or sometimes acceptable to shout down a speaker. The FIRE survey found 62% of students were either very or somewhat uncomfortable disagreeing with a professor about a “controversial political topic” and 63% felt the same about expressing views on a controversial topic in class. The data in these surveys are supported by numerous anti-free speech incidents on campus, all reported by the FFSA.
It is time for Furman alumni, parents, and friends to take seriously the growing threat to open inquiry and viewpoint diversity on campus. President Davis’ initiative here is to be applauded; there is still much work to be done.
Jeffrey Salmon ‘72
President
Furman Free Speech Alliance
Visit us at Furman Free Speech Alliance and see how you can help.
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.