There Seems to Be Some Confusion Over Who Speaks for the University
Preview:
Institutional neutrality policies are being misapplied on campuses across the country, with administrators using them to silence student and faculty expression rather than govern official university speech. The core problem is a failure to define who actually speaks for the institution, creating confusion that allows individual administrators to suppress ordinary expression in the name of neutrality. Clear written policies designating specific leadership roles as the only authorized institutional voice are essential to protect free expression while preserving the legitimate purpose neutrality was designed to serve.
Originally published: May 27, 2026
Author: Mark G. Yudof
Position: President Emeritus
Institution: University of California System
Published by: Inside Higher Ed