Our Approach

At the University of Miami, we protect freedom of expression through three principles: open forums, institutional neutrality and civil discourse. These principles are rooted in our mission to advance knowledge and foster an environment where ideas can be tested without fear or favor.

Open Forums

In-Class Conversation

We offer spaces—classrooms, lecture halls, residential colleges and online platforms—where ideas can be debated freely and without censorship. A university faithful to its mission must provide a forum for candid discussion of public issues, encouraging the widest range of views. Academic freedom is the lifeblood of teaching and research, and because learning occurs both within and outside the classroom, our hundreds of student organizations must be able to rely on fair and transparent practices when it comes to student engagement.

Institutional Neutrality

Campus Walkway

University leadership stays impartial on controversial issues unless they directly affect our mission. This neutrality is not indifference—it reflects respect for free inquiry and the obligation to protect dissent. By remaining independent from political fashions and pressures, we ensure that faculty and students have the broadest freedom to think, express themselves, and act as individuals. Our role is to foster dialogue, not decide debates.

Civil Discourse

Forum

Respectful conversation is essential to learning and democracy. Civil discourse means listening, challenging ideas and finding common ground—even when we disagree. This commitment sustains the conditions for teaching and research, promotes respect for the dignity of each person, and allows for debate to thrive without coercion or conformity. Political polarization makes this harder, but it’s our shared responsibility—especially in times when common ground seems impossible to find—to keep these conversations alive.

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