ACTA Urges Portland State University Trustees to Protect Free Expression on Campus

Portland State University’s (PSU) Code of Student Conduct and Responsibility properly recognizes the essential role of the free exchange of ideas in higher education. It states that “The University supports the right of all people to live and learn in a safe and respectful environment that promotes the free and vigorous expression of ideas” and that “Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with these principles.” Yet twice this year, campus security capitulated to the heckler’s veto rather than defend the values of integrity, respect, and inclusion articulated in PSU’s mission statement. These continued failures to protect the rights of students, faculty, and invited speakers requires a response from the board, which has a duty to ensure that the university protects and fosters freedom of expression and inquiry. Read ACTA President Michael Poliakoff’s letter to the board here.