ASU committed to advancing free speech
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News
A core pillar of democracy and our concept as a nation has always been freedom — that includes freedom of speech. But what does that really mean?
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Higher education doesn’t have an agenda to curate a specific way of thinking — it teaches students to think for themselves and encourages open and constructive dialogue.
“Universities have an important role to play in free speech, and ASU has a responsibility to lead in bringing people together around this shared value,” Arizona State University President Michael Crow said this fall at the launch of the Center for Free Speech. “We intend to help advance the collective understanding about what freedom of speech means within the context of a democratic society.”
ASU remains committed to protecting free speech on campus, demonstrated through rankings, events, programs and student efforts.
Centering free speech
With students from all 50 states and more than 150 countries, ASU’s students, alumni, faculty, staff and visitors come from virtually every background and walk of life, and hold a wide variety of beliefs and opinions.
To encourage the uninhibited exchange of ideas, the university established a Center for Free Speech in October.
“Protection and preservation of freedom of speech in a public university environment, while important, is not enough,” Crow said. “We need greater understanding of the balance of equal rights within a community, a balance that seeks active discourse and the fearless inclusion of voices — all voices — through interactions that challenge beliefs and open eyes to new perspectives.”
Those principles, coupled with a gift to the university from Don and Leslie Budinger, have resulted not only in the new center, but also in a new signature initiative, the annual ASU Free Speech Forum. The forum will engage students, faculty and the broader community and bring in national speakers on free speech.
A top university for free speech
ASU was recognized as a top school for free speech by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression and College Pulse in their latest College Free Speech Rankings.
The university ranked 14 among the top 25 schools for 2025, and No. 8 among top-tier Research I universities. The largest report of its kind, the rankings draw from more than 58,000 student responses representing more than 250 colleges and universities nationwide.
ASU’s commitment to free speech was used as a standout example in the 64-page Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression report and rankings, showcasing a standard of “High Honors” for its public response to a speech controversy.
Inspiring future public service leaders
In late February, the university launched the ASU Institute of Politics, a nonpartisan initiative designed to empower ASU students with the skills, networks and experiences necessary to excel in leadership roles in public service.
The institute will be led by a native Arizonan, Ambassador Jeff Flake, as its founding director. A former U.S. senator, U.S. congressman and U.S. ambassador to Turkey, Flake brings a wealth of experience and a rich network of public policy and political experts to ASU.
At the heart of the ASU Institute of Politics is a commitment to nonpartisan engagement. Students from all academic backgrounds — both on campus and online — will have access to a range of programs designed to provide direct exposure to Washington, D.C., politics, public policy and public service.
A highlight of the institute’s inaugural offerings is the Dialogues for Democracy forum — a dynamic speaker series co-sponsored by the Center for Free Speech featuring top political strategists and thought leaders, hosted by former White House advisor David Axelrod.
Why free speech is important to Sun Devils
Words have power, as students discover on campus.
“Even though we all have the right to free speech, we still need to be thinking about the impact of our words, especially on ASU’s campus,” said global studies and justice studies double major Evanna Rouhani after organizing a workshop on free speech for her fellow students.
Workshops like those are just one way that Sun Devils are finding their way through potentially fraught conversations. Interactions between student organizations, who can sometimes disagree with one another, are another opportunity.
“When students are able to have this civil dialogue, students are able to work together, share ideas and have open conversation around things you disagree with,” said Trey Leveque, who was a leader in student government during his time at ASU. “And by disagreeing with one another, they’re able to learn so much more than they would have in any other situation."
ASU offers resources specific to free speech through the Dean of Students office, as well as ASU Student Advocacy and Assistance, which guides students in resolving any impediments to their academic goals.
Free Speech at ASU website
The website provides resources for students, faculty and staff in one consolidated location, including:
- How student organizations can participate in expressive activities on campus.
- Guidelines for political engagement by public employees.
- Ways for student groups to reserve outdoor spaces on campus.
- Links to specific policies and processes, including Student Advocacy and Assistance, through the Dean of Students, and the Arizona Board of Regents Code of Conduct.
Learn more at freespeech.asu.edu.
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