Touting its commitment to freedom of expression, the university is informing its new students in acceptance letters that “trigger warnings” and “safe spaces” do not exist there.
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University campuses around the country have made news in recent years with policies adding “trigger warnings” to potentially offensive, hard or controversial teaching materials; and with the creation of safe spaces, where various types of language and behavior are not tolerated.
The University of Chicago said the letter accompanied a book that each student received, “Academic Freedom and the Modern University: The Experience of the University of Chicago”. “At times this may challenge you and even cause discomfort”, the letter warns.
In the wake of the dean’s message, some student leaders questioned the letter’s seeming contradiction with Ellison’s role as a safe space ally; they also expressed concerns as to whether the university will keep various spots already designated “safe spaces” on campus – many for LGBT students or victims of sexual violence.
To others, safe spaces are “the live-action version” of the trigger warning, with its own negative implications.
Here’s a copy of the letter to freshman, courtesy of the Chicago Maroon.
During the last 6 years, members of Chicago Student Action at the University of Chicago have organized students, faculty, other campus workers and allies in the broader community to fight for living wages on campus, challenge the university’s austerity budget, increase services and accessibility for students with disabilities, hold campus police accountable for policing tactics in neighboring communities and win fossil fuel divestment.
“The use of quotations – so-called trigger warnings, so-called safe spaces – to be honest with you, it was a little juvenile”, said Ms. Adetiba, who was on the dean’s advisory council with Mr. Ellison two years ago.
According to the Chicago Maroon, the university recently reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to free speech following three “high-profile” cases of speakers invited to campus being shut down or interrupted by protests.
Over the past several years, questionshave risen to national attention, becoming emblematic of the divide between conservatives calling for free speech and liberals, supposedly hung up on political correctness.
The earlier three incidents at the university reportedly included Cook County State Attorney Anita Alvarez being forced to leave in February after being confronted by Black Lives Matter protesters in the audience.
Other schools have seen a rollback of free speech rights as well. Mary Katharine Ham, a senior writer for The Federalist, a conservative website, wrote that it was “a sad commentary on higher education that this is considered a fearless and bold move, but it is, and the University of Chicago should be applauded mightily for stating what used to be obvious”. It’s not about academic freedom, it’s about power.
Some stand-up comedians have said they avoid college campuses, fearing that satire won’t go over in a “PC” environment.
Holmberg called the letter “hypocrital”, saying that the University hasn’t done its part to engage in challenging discourse with its students. “I think students want dignity”.
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The result was that students turned on the professor and his wife, effectively ousting them from the Yale campus (where they didn’t just teach, but lived) and denounced them as racists.
