The Robust Exchange of Ideas

Jeff Miller

Following this presidential election season, On Wisconsin delves into politics with our profile of Barry Burden, UW–Madison’s internationally renowned political scientist. Burden is highly sought after by the media and the courts for his nonpartisan analysis of topical issues.

As a public university that welcomes diverse viewpoints, the UW itself strives for what administrators call “content-neutrality.” That approach came into play last spring during protests of the Israel–Hamas war that occurred here and on many other campuses around the country. On April 29, a group of students set up an encampment on Library Mall in violation of state law, making demands that targeted the university’s ties to Israel. On May 1, law enforcement officers dismantled the encampment and arrested several protesters. On May 10, the protesters peacefully took down a second encampment after negotiations with the administration.

In August, UW–Madison clarified its Expressive Activity Policy to ensure that free expression remains protected on campus and that safeguards are in place to maintain the university’s mission and operations, including the ability of students to access education without disruption. The policy and an accompanying guide are designed to better help students, employees, and campus visitors understand their rights and responsibilities and the resources available to them. It’s part of a broader effort to educate the campus community on all aspects of free expression, provide transparency, and expand civil discourse programming.

“The robust exchange of ideas and viewpoints is central to a university,” says Chancellor Jennifer L. Mnookin. “That is a key part of what a great university does, or should be doing, every day, and it is what we mean, here at UW–Madison, when we talk about fearless sifting and winnowing. That means that we will often engage with ideas and perspectives that may be new to us, and that might, in some cases, cause us unease or discomfort. My hope is that, as a Badger community, we approach our differences with open minds, a willingness to listen, respect for one another, and a generosity of spirit.”

Published in the Winter 2024 issue