Yale Believes In Free Speech—and So Do I

[T26E4]

@TooOld4School writes

“Yale does not censor invited speakers, nor does the administration discipline faculty members or students for the expression of ideas, no matter how unpopular.”

1. He doesn’t say who they invite. Of course once invited they can say what they want.

This is referring to invited speakers by campus organizations, faculty invites or departmental invites. In the past, at some other unis, a campus org might invite a controversial speaker which would spark protests and possibly cancellation. Yale is coming out strongly to say that it stands with any speaker who is invited. As to whom the uni or its departments or faculty choose to invite – that’s impossible to determine or predict. You’re imparting something sinister here – condemning them for future actions.

2. He doesn’t mention that unorthodox expression can result in lack of tenure or promotion for faculty and staff. That keeps a firm muzzle on free speech.

3. He did not say that he would support faculty expressing unpopular views either, such as the teacher who resigned, undoubtedly under heavy pressure.

Speculation again. If there were any whiff of this, the tenured Yale faculty would be up in arms. And no one can imagine them being muzzled.