Ana Mari Cauce, president of the University of Washington, was one of three educators asked, "What is the most important thing you think needs to happen in order to make college campuses places where controversial ideas can be heard? Do you believe free speech should be treated differently on campus than it is in the rest of society? And if so, how?"
Cauce said universities are essential forums for the debate of controversial topics and "We should always err in favor of more -- not less -- speech on campus."
"That principle, however, is put to the test when campuses – especially public institutions – are targeted by speakers who seek to generate more heat than light, who have no intention of participating in a substantive debate," she replied. "Skillful at pushing the limits of free speech right up to the line of incitement, their aim is to attract publicity to their own personas or agendas."
While universities are legally obligated to allow protected forms of speech, they also have a right and duty to denounce repugnant speech and action, she said.
"University leaders also require better ways of deciding who should bear the true costs when public university campuses become places where society at large, not just our university community, engages in debate."