{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Free Speech on College Campuses: Insights from FIRE's 2025 Report","description":"Free speech on college campuses has become one of higher education\u2019s most volatile and defining challenges. In this episode, Dr. Drumm McNaughton talks with Dr. Sean Stevens, Chief Research Advisor at FIRE\u2014the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression\u2014about findings from FIRE\u2019s newly released  College Free Speech Rankings and the state of academic freedom, the growing political pressures on universities, and how presidents and boards can protect open dialogue in today\u2019s divided climate. Topics Covered:   Why FIRE expanded its mission beyond higher education and no longer stands for \u201cFoundation for Individual Rights in Education.\u201d   How FIRE\u2019s College Free Speech Rankings and Scholars Under FIRE survey measure tolerance and academic freedom nationwide.   What the data shows about declining political tolerance among students and faculty.   How government pressure is influencing faculty terminations and speech policies.   The role of leadership in maintaining consistent, transparent free speech policies.   Examples from Vanderbilt and Dartmouth showing how structured dialogue programs improve campus discourse.   Three Takeaways for University Presidents and Boards:   Establish and Communicate Bright Lines \u2013 Define clear speech policies and enforce them consistently across all viewpoints.   Stand Firm in Times of Controversy \u2013 Uphold principles of free expression even when political or donor pressure mounts.   Promote Civic Dialogue and Intellectual Diversity \u2013 Support programs that help students and faculty engage constructively across ideological divides.   Read the transcript or extended show summary:  https:\/\/changinghighered.com\/free-speech-on-college-campuses-fire-report\/ #HigherEducation #FreeSpeech #FIRE&amp;nbsp; ","author_name":"Changing Higher Ed","author_url":"https:\/\/changinghighered.com\/changing-higher-ed-podcast\/","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/38775775\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/item\/38775775"}