“Of course, the ideas of different members of the University community will often and quite naturally conflict. But it is not the proper role of the University to attempt to shield individuals from ideas and opinions they find unwelcome, disagreeable, or even deeply offensive. Although the University greatly values civility, and although all members of the University community share in the responsibility for maintaining a climate of mutual respect, concerns about civility and mutual respect can never be used as a justification for closing off discussion of ideas, however offensive or disagreeable those ideas may be to some members of our community.”
From the Report of the Committee on Freedom of Expression of the University of Chicago, now UofChicago policy, via Wondering If I’m the Next Tim Hunt | Alice Domurat Dreger.
If there was ever a gold standard for tolerance, this is it. This should be the standard for all discourse, not just academic freedom.
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