September 18 is Constitution Day! To help celebrate the day, two of Nebraska Law’s constitutional law professors are participating in a friendly discussion about free speech on college campuses.
· What: Constitution Day Discussion: Free Speech on College Campuses
· When: Monday, September 18th, 3:30 PM
· Where: UNL City Campus Union Ballroom
· Description: Free speech on college campuses has been an important and controversial issue in recent years, both nationwide and in Nebraska. On the one hand, universities must provide opportunities for its students to discuss controversial issues. On the other hand, universities should guard against harassment that leaves members of its community feeling threatened. In recent years, universities and colleges like Northwestern, Oberlin, University of California Berkeley, Amherst College, and many more have found themselves in the news because of controversies arising out of campus speech. How should universities deal with these issues? What role do trigger warnings have in university classes? And in what ways does the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, which promises freedom of speech, limit public universities’ authority to pass and implement rules pertaining to speech?
To discuss these important and timely issues, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is hosting a Constitution Day Panel including two Constitutional Law experts from the College of Law. Richard F. Duncan is the Sherman S. Welpton, Jr. Professor of Law and Warren R. Wise Professor of Law. Eric Berger is Associate Dean for Faculty and Professor of Law. Together, the two will discuss the First Amendment issues surrounding campus speech in the United States.