Freedom of Expression at the Private University

The Values and Limits of Academic Speech, Routledge, ISBN: 9781138479890, 2019 Forthcoming

Georgetown McDonough School of Business Research Paper No. 3133314

21 Pages Posted: 8 Mar 2018

See all articles by John Hasnas

John Hasnas

Georgetown University - McDonough School of Business; Georgetown University Law Center

Date Written: March 2, 2018

Abstract

Private universities are not bound by the First Amendment, which restrains only state action. This leaves them free to adopt whatever restrictions on freedom of expression they deem consistent with their mission. However, private universities a have duty to act with integrity, which means that they must fully honor the public representations they make to their students and faculty. This implies that private universities must refrain from making conflicting representations that cannot be simultaneously fulfilled. Most universities represent themselves as committed to both free of expression on campus and to providing an inclusive and welcoming educational environment for people of all backgrounds. However, the expression of certain ideas can offend some members of the university community and make them feel unwelcome. This creates a situation in which it is difficult, if not impossible, for the University to live up to both of its representations. I argue that this implies that private universities are ethically obligated to specify which of these two conflicting obligations it considers more important – which one will trump the other in case of conflict.

I further argue that private universities that resolve this situation by giving priority to freedom of expression implicitly assume two further obligations: 1) to adopt a policy stating that no member of the academic community will be subject to investigation for an academic infraction solely on the basis of the ideas that they express, and 2) to revise their harassment polices to reflect this commitment.

Keywords: First Amendment, Freedon of expression, freedom of speech, Harassment

Suggested Citation

Hasnas, John, Freedom of Expression at the Private University (March 2, 2018). The Values and Limits of Academic Speech, Routledge, ISBN: 9781138479890, 2019 Forthcoming, Georgetown McDonough School of Business Research Paper No. 3133314, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3133314

John Hasnas (Contact Author)

Georgetown University - McDonough School of Business ( email )

3700 O Street, NW
Washington, DC 20057
United States

Georgetown University Law Center ( email )

600 New Jersey Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20001
United States

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