There's More Work to Do

Furman's administration shouldn't rest on its laurels.

In recent weeks, Furman has touted its new commitment to “freedom of inquiry and expression” in local media and on the university website. The university has not acknowledged, however, what makes such a commitment necessary: the intolerant campus environment.

Two recent surveys conducted by College Pulse show that Furman still has a lot of work to do. We ranked 163^rd out of 248 schools in the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression’s (FIRE) 2024 College Free Speech Rankings. Worse still, the American Council of Trustees and Alumni’s (ACTA) study of Free Expression and Diversity of Thought at Furman University revealed that Furman students, especially conservatives, are afraid to speak their minds.

Here we take another look at the ACTA survey and provide some comparisons with the FIRE study. 

For starters, it is noteworthy that out of the 1,300 colleges in ACTA’s network, the organization chose to publish a survey exclusively focused on free speech at Furman.  Read the results and you get a picture of why Furman warrants this distinction.

Key findings include:

• Almost 50% reported experiencing or witnessing uncivil treatment for sharing political or social views at least occasionally. Respondents reported witnessing frequent or very frequent uncivil treatment of students with conservative views 4 times as often as those with liberal or progressive views.

• 48% of students said they self-censor at least occasionally, including 40% percent of Republicans.

• 39% of Republicans and 20% of Democrats reported being socially excluded for sharing their political or social views.

• 39% of respondents said shouting down a speaker is always or sometimes acceptable.

• 27% of Democratic students surveyed said using violence to prevent someone from speaking is always or sometimes acceptable. 6% percent of Republicans said the same.

• 22% of Republicans and 18% of Democrats reported experiencing threats of harassment for sharing their political or social views.

It should be of particular concern to the administration, faculty and board — not to mention alumni and parents — that only 36% of students believe it is never acceptable to shout down speakers. The results here are broadly consistent with the FIRE survey, which found only 40% of students always oppose shouting down a speaker.

But it is in the category of self-censorship that brings Furman’s dysfunction into stark relief.

The FIRE survey found a stunning 78% of the students surveyed felt very or somewhat uncomfortable publicly disagreeing with a professor about a controversial political topic. Only 3% felt very comfortable.  Indeed, both surveys found that roughly half of respondents at least occasionally held their tongue in class or on campus for fear of reprisal.

It is noteworthy that such an organization as ACTA would publish a survey exclusively focused on free speech at Furman.  Read the results and you get a picture of why Furman warrants this distinction.

ACTA’s primary contribution was its breakout of self-identified liberal and conservative students. As ACTA notes, Republican respondents are more likely to self-censor.  Forty percent do so fairly or very often, compared to only 6% of Democrats.

In bringing these studies forward we hope to generate some sober thought among those who love Furman.  Students, especially those with right of center views, are afraid of faculty.  A majority of Paladins self-censor. This clearly undermines the Furman Advantage as well as the administration’s goal of cultivating community of learners.

In summary, these surveys show that Furman has its work cut out for it. Indeed, it will take much more than a Statement on Freedom of Inquiry and Expression, to improve the broken campus culture.

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.

Join us.