The University of North Carolina Board of Governors could weigh in as early as this week on a state law requiring college campuses to protect free speech. Generation Opportunity, a Millennial-oriented group promoting economic and social freedom, is urging the board to embrace those safeguards.
In a letter, Anna Beavon Gravely, the North Carolina spokeswoman for GenOpp, asked board members to implement House Bill 527, Restore/Preserve Campus Free Speech. The bill, passed this year by the General Assembly, requires the BOG to develop a policy stating:
The primary function of each constituent institution is the discovery, improvement, transmission, and dissemination of knowledge by means of research, teaching, discussion, and debate.
The law outlines several other principles promoting robust campus debate.
It also requires the board to establish an 11-member Committee on Free Expression to keep tabs on any incidents or activities on campuses that impeded free thought or expression. It includes an explanation of the policy part of the freshman orientation process for incoming students.
In the letter, Gravely noted that former President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg each have recently appeared at college campuses defending the importance of open debate and robust disagreement on important issues. She also cited recent instances when students at North Carolina college campuses have been disciplined or punished for exercising their First Amendment rights.
H.B. 527 passed the state House 80-31 and the Senate 34-11. It became law without Gov. Roy Cooper’s signature.
The Board of Governors meets Friday in Chapel Hill. A vote on implementing the law may take place at the meeting.