Free Speech Forum at State Capitol September 20
Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman to Give Keynote Address
Free Speech for Campus, Inc. (FSFC), The Wisconsin Association of Scholars (WAS), and the Wisconsin Institute for Citizenship and Civil Dialogue (WICCD) will hold a forum on the subject of freedom of expression on Wisconsin college campuses on Friday, September 20, 2024 at 12:00 noon in Room 412 East of the Wisconsin State Capitol.
Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman will be the keynote speaker at the event. He will discuss the current state of free speech on UW campuses and efforts to expand free speech and civil discourse at UW institutions.
Upon becoming president of the Universities of Wisconsin, Rothman prioritized free speech on UW campuses. He has since implemented a ban on the use of DEI statements in the UW System hiring process. In late 2022, he approved a statewide student survey on free speech. The survey of more than 10,000 students was conducted by Dr. Tim Shiell, a professor emeritus at UW-Stout and Director of the Menard Center for the Study of Institutions and Innovation.
Rothman also created the Wisconsin Institute for Citizenship and Civil Dialogue (WICCD), an entity of the Universities of Wisconsin system, that provides resources, opportunities, and support for teaching, learning, and practicing viewpoint diversity; freedom of expression; academic freedom; civil dialogue; and civic participation within our universities and communities.
State Representative Dave Murphy, Chairperson of the State Assembly’s Colleges and Universities Committee, will host a panel discussion on the legal framework for protecting academic freedom and freedom of expression.
Agenda
Room 412 East, Wisconsin State Capitol, 2 E. Main St, Madison, WI 53702
12:00 p.m. Registration/Sign-in
1:00 to 1:15 p.m. Welcome and introductions by FSFC, WAS and WICCD.
1:15 to 2:15 p.m. Keynote address by Universities of Wisconsin President, Jay Rothman; with follow-up questions if time permits.
2:15 to 3:30 p.m. Panel discussion on the legal framework for protecting academic freedom and freedom of expression.
1. Dave Murphy, State Representative and chairperson of the Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities (panel host)
2. Michael Moscicke, office of State Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara
3. Ryan Owens, Professor, Florida State University & Director of the Florida Institute on Governance and Civics
4. Raymond Taffora, Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs Emeritus, UW-Madison
3:30 p.m. Adjournment
Free Speech for Campus is a grass-roots movement that brings together concerned citizens of Wisconsin to promote and protect free speech on college campuses.
The Wisconsin Association of Scholars is a chapter of the National Association of Scholars. The organization promotes educational excellence, intellectual freedom, and success in higher education. It is made up of professors, graduate students, administrators, members of the public, and other individuals involved in higher education.
The Wisconsin Institute for Citizenship and Civil Dialogue provides resources, opportunities, and support for teaching, learning, and practicing viewpoint diversity; freedom of expression; academic freedom; civil dialogue; and civic participation within our universities and communities.