APPLETON – Free Speech for Campus, Inc. (FSFC), The Wisconsin Association of Scholars
(WAS), and the Wisconsin Institute for Citizenship and Civil Dialogue (WICCD) will hold a
forum on the subject of freedom of expression at Wisconsin universities on Friday, September
20, 2024 at 12:00 noon in Room 412 East of the Wisconsin State Capitol.
Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman will be the keynote speaker at the event. He
will discuss the current state of free speech at UW institutions and efforts to expand free speech
and civil discourse.
Upon becoming president of the Universities of Wisconsin, Rothman prioritized free speech at
UW institutions. He has since implemented a ban on the use of DEI statements in the
Universities of Wisconsin hiring process. In late 2022, he approved a statewide student survey
on free speech. The survey of more than 10,000 students was conducted by Dr. Tim Shiell, a
professor emeritus at UW-Stout and Director of the Menard Center for the Study of Institutions
and Innovation.
Rothman also created the Wisconsin Institute for Citizenship and Civil Dialogue (WICCD), an
entity of the Universities of Wisconsin system, that provides resources, opportunities, and
support for teaching, learning, and practicing viewpoint diversity; freedom of expression;
academic freedom; civil dialogue; and civic participation within our universities and
communities.
State Representative Dave Murphy, Chairperson of the State Assembly’s Colleges and
Universities Committee, will host a panel discussion on the legal framework for protecting
academic freedom and freedom of expression.
Agenda
Room 412 East
Wisconsin State Capitol
2 E. Main St, Madison, WI 53702
12:00 p.m. Registration/Sign-in
1:00 to 1:15 p.m. Welcome and introductions by FSFC, WAS and WICCD.
1:15 to 2:15 p.m. Keynote address by Universities of Wisconsin President, Jay Rothman;
with follow-up questions if time permits.
2:15 to 3:30 p.m. Panel discussion on the legal framework for protecting academic freedom
and freedom of expression.
- Dave Murphy, State Representative and chairperson of the
Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities (panel host) - Michael Moscicke, office of State Senator Rachael Cabral-
Guevara - Ryan Owens, Professor, Florida State University & Director of the
Florida Institute on Governance and Civics - Raymond Taffora, Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs Emeritus,
UW-Madison
3:30 p.m. Adjournment
Free Speech for Campus is a grass-roots movement that brings together concerned citizens of
Wisconsin to promote and protect free speech on college campuses.
The Wisconsin Association of Scholars is a chapter of the National Association of Scholars. The
organization promotes educational excellence, intellectual freedom, and success in higher
education. It is made up of professors, graduate students, administrators, members of the public,
and other individuals involved in higher education.
The Wisconsin Institute for Citizenship and Civil Dialogue provides resources, opportunities,
and support for teaching, learning, and practicing viewpoint diversity; freedom of expression;
academic freedom; civil dialogue; and civic participation within our universities and communities.
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