Free Speech on College Campuses
Kenzie Winkler
Due: May 16th 2011
WR 122/ Wilde
Final Essay #2
Importance of ‘Free Speech’
College is a time when most individuals are experiencing major changes and begin to explore new perspectives. The transition in becoming more independent, creating new insights and peer influence are key factors in changing the perspective of an individual. Students are faced with new ideas from their professors, family and fellow peers. Through that acquired knowledge many students decide that they either agree or disagree with the perspectives that they are taught. Allowing the right of ‘Free Speech’ on public college campuses has become an important issue that many public colleges are starting to address. In college students are capable of informing their peers about issues that are important and controversial. It is important that students are able to maintain this right so they can and inform the student body to promote positive change. Free speech should be allowed on public college campuses because it liberates students to actively engage in controversial issues.
‘Free Speech’ is necessary on college campuses because it allows students to determine their own beliefs and promote positive change. ‘Free speech’ can be interpreted as, “The ability for students to explore controversial topics and express popular opinions without fear or reprisal” (Schmidt 1). College is an important transition in life because it is an age where students are forced to make their own independent decisions. Students are leaving home for the first time and explore new ideas and establishing their own opinion on current issues that surround them. ‘Free Speech’ is essential because it provides awareness to college campuses and it a proactive way of educating students outside of the classroom. A perfect example of this took place on the campus of University of Oregon, it was a debate whether or not the Pacifica Forum should be allowed to hold meetings in University of Oregon’s classrooms
Due: May 16th 2011
WR 122/ Wilde
Final Essay #2
Importance of ‘Free Speech’
College is a time when most individuals are experiencing major changes and begin to explore new perspectives. The transition in becoming more independent, creating new insights and peer influence are key factors in changing the perspective of an individual. Students are faced with new ideas from their professors, family and fellow peers. Through that acquired knowledge many students decide that they either agree or disagree with the perspectives that they are taught. Allowing the right of ‘Free Speech’ on public college campuses has become an important issue that many public colleges are starting to address. In college students are capable of informing their peers about issues that are important and controversial. It is important that students are able to maintain this right so they can and inform the student body to promote positive change. Free speech should be allowed on public college campuses because it liberates students to actively engage in controversial issues.
‘Free Speech’ is necessary on college campuses because it allows students to determine their own beliefs and promote positive change. ‘Free speech’ can be interpreted as, “The ability for students to explore controversial topics and express popular opinions without fear or reprisal” (Schmidt 1). College is an important transition in life because it is an age where students are forced to make their own independent decisions. Students are leaving home for the first time and explore new ideas and establishing their own opinion on current issues that surround them. ‘Free Speech’ is essential because it provides awareness to college campuses and it a proactive way of educating students outside of the classroom. A perfect example of this took place on the campus of University of Oregon, it was a debate whether or not the Pacifica Forum should be allowed to hold meetings in University of Oregon’s classrooms
Cited: Ciaramella, CJ “University to Address Paficia Controversy” Oregon Daily Emerald (2010): 1-3 Kallaway, Emma. “Students Instrumental In Fight Against Hate” Oregon Daily Emerald (2010): 1-2 Schmidt, Benno. “The University and Freedom.” 1991. Free Speech; Case Book for Writers: 2-5