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Free Speech at UVA: Where Is The Line? - The Center for Politics at UVA
October 6, 2025: Co-sponsored by UVA’s Center for Politics
News in brief: UVA marks Constitution Day
September 18, 2025: The University of Virginia marked Constitution Day this week with a series of events across Grounds. Constitutional scholar Paul Carrese spoke to Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy students and faculty on Monday, emphasizing the importance of civic engagement.
This UVA Program Teaches Students How To Better Disagree
May 7, 2025: The Karsh Institute of Democracy is expanding its Student Dialogue Fellowship, seeking to increase the ways students with differing ideas and political leanings can meaningfully engage with each other.
How To Get Along After a Bruising Election
November 19, 2024: People can overcome political polarization by getting to know each other outside of their politics, two U.S. governors say.
How Americans can disagree better | Miller Center
November 19, 2024: In this Democracy Dialogues event, Governor Phil Murphy (D-NJ) and Governor Spencer Cox (R-UT) discuss the current climate of political polarization in the United States.
UVA Speakers Discuss Middle East, Free Speech
October 22, 2024: At two separate events last week, a former Palestinian Authority official and a journalist shared their takes on peace possibilities and free speech.
Where Do We Go From Here? The Future of Free Speech on College Campuses
October 17, 2024: It has been 60 years since the start of the Free Speech Movement on college campuses. Join us on Old Cabell Hall for a discussion about the movement’s future.
‘Inside UVA’: Does Talking Through Political Disagreement Help? Yes
October 8, 2024: Structured talks about politics in college help people relate better to one another, though they don’t often change minds.
University Statement on Institutional Statements
August 12, 2024: The modern university exists to serve the society of which it is a part...
UVA Adopts ‘Position of Neutrality’ When Considering Commenting on Events
September 16, 2024: The Committee on Institutional Statements suggested guidelines for when UVA’s president or other officials should make statements.
UVA No. 1 in National College Free Speech Rankings
September 5, 2024: The University moved up from No. 6 in last year’s report from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression.
UVA Updates Rules on Demonstrations and Access to Shared Spaces
August 26, 2024: The changes and updates are meant to balance the University’s free speech commitment with ensuring Grounds remain accessible to all.
Accolades: Instructor Awarded for Leading University’s Open Inquiry Charge
July 17, 2024: Also in this roundup: A national academy honors an AI pioneer, and UVA Health is lauded for LGBTQ+ care.
Six Ways To Encourage Difficult Dialogue
June 3, 2024: From presidential politics to international conflict, finding ways to talk about issues is important.
Experts Share Model for Encouraging Respectful Debate on College Campuses
May 1, 2024: A pair of Dartmouth professors, adept at fostering challenging conversations about Israel and Palestine, shared their advice with a UVA audience Tuesday.
Committee To Consider When UVA Should Address Political and Social Events
February 7, 2024: It’s not always clear when a university should issue institutional statements about significant social and political events. A new UVA committee will soon offer guidance.
State, Education Leaders Meet at UVA To Discuss Free Speech on Campuses
November 29, 2023: The heads of almost all of Virginia’s colleges and universities gathered at UVA as part of a statewide summit to foster free expression in academic settings.
Democracy Dialogues: Free Speech at Universities
Join this event on November 9, 2023, from the Miller Center.
UVA Sets Educational Programming Related to Conflict in the Middle East
October 31, 2023: UVA schools, centers and faculty are offering educational opportunities for community members to learn about topics related to the conflict in the Middle East.
For Democracy, Talking Is More Important Than Agreeing
October 23, 2023: A UVA professor is helping students understand and embrace the value of talking with people who hold different political opinions.
UVA’s Democracy Gathering Has Wrapped, But Work Remains
October 23, 2023: Thousands descended on Charlottesville last week to take up the challenge of revitalizing local, national and global democracy.
Americans Say To Meet Political Agendas, Rights May Be Left Behind
October 20, 2023: A Center for Politics survey shows Americans from both political parties are willing to curtail constitutional guarantees to meet their ends.
American Democracy’s Greatest Strength? That Would Be Its People
October 19, 2023: Eight UVA student speakers presented to a panel of judges their ideas of American democracy’s greatest strength.
Journalists: Media Must Change To Fight Democracy-Threatening Misinformation
October 19, 2023: UVA’s Democracy360 event seeks to increase understanding of threats to global democracy. One threat is the state of the media. Two veteran journalists weigh in.
Democracy Isn’t Guaranteed, UVA Experts Say. They’re Planning To Shore It Up
October 18, 2023: Journalists, policymakers, scholars, activists, artists, students and community members from around the world are arriving in Charlottesville to explore the biggest challenges to democracy.
A Wahoo in the Governor’s Mansion? Rep. Spanberger Addresses That and Other Questions
October 12, 2023: UVA alumna and U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger has been thrust into some of the most consequential national and international events in recent history.
L. Douglas Wilder Wins Center for Politics’ Award for Defending Democracy
September 29, 2023: The nation’s first popularly elected Black governor was honored for his lifetime achievements.
Pompeo Spoke About Handling World Conflicts and an Unpredictable President
September 26, 2023: In a short speech and a longer question-and-answer session, the former diplomat supported the previous administration but largely steered clear of attacking the current one.
One of ‘THE PEOPLE’: Ryan’s Words Included in Democracy Celebration on National Mall
September 21, 2023: The artist Jenny Holzer’s projected display included passages from activists, politicians and UVA’s own president.
UVA Places No. 6 in 2024 National College Free Speech Rankings
September 12, 2023: The analysis from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression comes two years after the University unanimously adopted a statement on free expression and free inquiry.
Gilmore to Batten Students: Crisis Requires Calm Leadership
September 12, 2023: On the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, former Gov. Jim Gilmore talked about leadership and the importance of engaged citizens.
President to New Students: 'Be Curious, Not Judgmental'
August 20, 2023: More than 4,000 new students gathered on the Lawn Sunday evening for Opening Convocation, to meet President Jim Ryan and sign UVA’s Honor Code.
Law School Orientation on Free Speech Fundamentals with Prof. Leslie Kendrick
Professor Leslie Kendrick ’06 discusses First Amendment policies, and the law and norms of free speech in legal education.
Faculty Spotlight: ‘Literacy Is a Basic Human Right,’ Professor Says
Tisha Hayes discovered early that literacy was a critical key to learning. At UVA, she passes on this tenet to aspiring teachers.
Professor Caleb Nelson Delivers the Charge to the Law School Class of 2023
Professor Caleb Nelson offers parting words to graduating UVA Law students.
Liz Cheney to Serve as Professor of Practice at UVA Center for Politics
March 1, 2023: The former congresswoman will guest lecture in classes and public events, and participate in research.
Faculty Spotlight: John Owen Welcomes Healthy Debate About A Contentious World In His Classroom
Research, writing and teaching are all intertwined for this University of Virginia politics professor.
University Fellows Program Brings Additional Perspectives to Grounds
The first two expert practitioners, Liz Ogbu and Greg Olsen, are being hosted by UVA’s schools of Architecture and Engineering, respectively.
Karsh Institute Taps Media Pioneer Evan Smith as Inaugural Practitioner Fellow
January 18, 2023: Smith will focus on solutions to local media challenges as first Distinguished Fellow in Journalism.
After Long Hiatus, UVA’s Democrat, Republican Groups Are Speaking, Dining Again
November 11, 2022: A recent “Talking Across Differences Student Dinner” was the first step toward mending fences between a couple of prominent political groups on Grounds.
‘Inside UVA’: President Ryan, First Amendment Expert Talk Freedom of Speech in New Podcast
November 10, 2022: Leslie Kendrick, director of UVA’s Center for the First Amendment, discusses the importance of UVA’s statement on free speech.
Karsh Institute Project Highlights the Power of Conversation Over Division
November 4, 2022: Student's 'Remedy to Save America' Speech Earns Top Honor at Oratory Contest The Karsh Institute of Democracy’s One Small Step project highlights the connective power of conversations.
Student’s ‘Remedy To Save America’ Speech Earns Top Honor at Oratory Contest
November 4, 2022: Facing a panel of esteemed judges in the Rotunda’s Dome Room, Jered Cooper emerged as the winner when he addressed the role of free speech at a public university.
Cornel West Encourages Students To ‘Major in a Courageous Life’
October 14, 2022: West said universities should focus on the character development of students, how to see and listen to others more broadly and deeply, contributing to making the world a better place, locally and globally.
Nau Foundation’s $17 Million Gift Supports Democracy Institute, Teaching of History
June 14, 2022: June 14, 2022: Building on its legacy of support for the core principles of democracy and for the study and teaching of history, the John L. Nau III Foundation recently committed additional gifts to the University…
Student Documentary Nominated for an Emmy
June 13, 2022: A student-produced political documentary has been nominated for an Emmy Award, the latest in a list of accolades for the film.
Pence Visit to Grounds Underscores Ongoing Discourse About Free Speech
April 12, 2022: The former vice president urged young people to get involved in public service, and to treat one another with civility.
Principle, Not Politics: Event Analyzes Role of Free Speech at UVA
April 6, 2022: What should we do about free speech at UVA? Students and faculty addressed that question, and others, Wednesday during a forum on Grounds.
What universities can do about cancel culture (opinion)
March 27, 2022: In view of the “cancel culture” discourse, Jim Ryan and Ian Baucom of the University of Virginia write that universities should train students to be empathetic speakers and generous listeners.
More Than Words: Oral Storytelling Project Brings Black History to Life
February 24, 2022: Grady Wilson Powell Sr. grew up hearing about the moment in 1865 when his grandfather, born into slavery in Virginia, learned he was free.
‘Common Grounds’ Project Brings Students Together Despite Political Differences
November 8, 2021: Even though the political color of Virginia’s executive leaders switched from blue to red in last week’s statewide elections, the political arena was just as divided as last year…
Tales of Found Family, Perseverance Permeate Overflowing Storytelling Event
October 28, 2021: Seven speakers were featured at the fourth annual “Double Take: Stories That Make You Think Twice” Thursday evening at a packed Carr’s Hill, UVA’s presidential home.
Democracy Initiative Embarks on ‘Moon Shot,’ Building Bridges Through Conversation
October 14, 2021: StoryCorps first began inviting people to share their stories in a recording booth in New York City’s Grand Central Terminal 18 years ago.
‘Dialogue Across Grounds’ Offers Students a Forum for Exploring Different Perspectives
October 7, 2021: An initiative coordinated by the University of Virginia’s Office of the President will provide students a setting in which they can share and explore different perspectives.
A Platform to Reach Politicians Directly, Without All That Toxicity? This Duo Has an Idea.
June 17, 2021: Students Amayr Babar and Ali Houssain Sareini, recipients of the Davis Prize for Peace, plan to create a platform directly connecting constituents and office holders.
Q&A: We Seem Hopelessly Divided, But Universities Can Lead the Way Forward
June 8, 2021: Bestselling author and former University of Virginia professor Jonathan Haidt describes today’s environment as a “perilous time” for higher education.
Board of Visitors ‘Unequivocally Endorses’ Statement on Free Expression and Inquiry
June 4, 2021: The University of Virginia’s Board of Visitors has heartily endorsed a new statement on freedom of expression and freedom of inquiry put forth by a committee representing a broad…