Nurturing Free Speech and Respectful Dialogue in Higher Education

Although higher ed as a whole believes in the importance of freedom of speech, very few agree on what the free exchange of ideas looks like and how it should function on campus. But with the current hostile political and social climate, it’s now more important than ever for higher ed to unite on what truly matters—protecting respectful and productive speech that leads to a better and kinder society.

 

In his latest podcast episode, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with President Eric Hogue of Colorado Christian University on the topic of free speech in higher ed. Eric shares how students must approach disagreements to create a more forward-thinking society and, most significantly, how faculty, staff, and students should conduct themselves in public and in the classroom to elicit more mature behavior.

 

Podcast Highlights

 

Free speech is a constitutional right that’s an essential function of a democratic society. Free speech allows individuals to express their opinions, thoughts, and ideas without fear of censorship or persecution. A complete college education dives into understanding this right. Such an education also empowers students not to be swayed by the ideologies of the moment but to compare new ideas against centuries of accrued knowledge.

 

The free exchange of ideas works best when exercised with respect, maturity, positive behavior, and decorum. But society has lost respect for each other and the ability to agree to disagree.

 

Higher ed needs students to look at disagreements from the mind perspective—how we think about issues—and combine it with their heart perspective. This allows students to see arguments from other people’s views. Higher ed needs students, faculty, and staff to build resilience by realizing they are not a victim in every situation, everything isn’t a crime, disagreements don’t impinge on rights or freedoms, and if someone is different from them, that doesn’t make them evil people who must be silenced. Higher ed must always be in pursuit of truth, even though it might be categorized as “my” truth or “your” truth.

 

Colorado Christian University employs co-teaching practices where faculty with opposing views debate each other on topics in front of students. The students are more attentive and engaged when this happens. CCU also has a moot court, and the practicum is to learn how to create an argument. Sometimes, the assignment is to create an argument from a different perspective. Students learn that they disagree with topics, not the people they debate and that if somebody doesn't wholly agree with them, they're not evil or don't need to be silenced.

 

Read the transcript →

 

About Our Podcast Guest

Eric Hogue was named president of Colorado Christian University by the Board of Trustees in March 2023 and took office in June 2023. Hogue previously served as vice president of University Advancement for CCU.

Hogue has a strong affinity for Christian higher education, having earned a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Liberty University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Jessup University.

He brings a deep knowledge of CCU to his new role. Since 2018, Hogue has served as vice president of University Advancement, directing a comprehensive fundraising program totaling more than $45 million, including $33.5 million for the Armstrong Center Campaign. He launched a $44 million Science Center Campaign, established the CCU Endowment Foundation to prioritize the rapid and sustained growth of future resources for the University, and birthed the CCU Fund and Hope Fund, which will raise $1.5 million annually for student scholarships.

Before joining CCU, Hogue served for six years as the chief development officer of Jessup University, where he tripled JU's endowment fund and navigated two successful campus capital development campaigns.

Hogue is known for his roles as a former political candidate; practicing theologian and pastor; and long-tenured radio, television, and media professional. He is the author of The Winning Side of the Ask: The Heart and Skills of the Donor-Centric Professional Fundraiser, a book dedicated to helping nonprofits design a thriving philanthropic culture.

 

About the Host

Dr. Drumm McNaughton, host of Changing Higher Ed®, is a consultant to higher ed institutions in governance, accreditation, strategy and change, and mergers. To learn more about his services and other thought leadership pieces, visit his firm’s website: https://changinghighered.com/.

 

The Change Leader’s Social Media Links

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdrumm/ Twitter: @thechangeldr Email: [email protected]

 

#FreeSpeech #HigherEducation #HigherEdPodcast