The Student Advisory Board of the University of Chicago’s Forum for Free Inquiry and Expression held its kickoff event on January 10, 2025, titled “Free Speech: Necessary or Conservative Propaganda?”. The event featured panel discussions and breakout sessions focused on free speech and UChicago’s Chicago Principles, now celebrating their 10th anniversary.
Professor Tom Ginsburg, the Forum’s founding Faculty Director, opened the evening with remarks before a group of student leaders took the stage. The panel was moderated by co-president of the Forum Student Advisory Board Elisabeth Snyder and included co-chair of the Forum Student Advisory Board College Committee Leena Saif, vice president of UChicago Democrats Jacob Steinberg, COO of the Chicago Thinker Jahmiel Jackson, president of UChicago’s Turning Point USA chapter and Managing Editor of the Chicago Thinker Tyler Shasteen, and president of UChicago College Republicans and Publisher & Editor-in-Chief of the Chicago Thinker Christopher Phillips.
Panelists exchanged views on the broad concept of free speech, its current state on campus, the role of the Chicago Principles, and their personal experiences navigating free expression within UChicago’s academic and social environments. With a diversity of ideological leanings among the panelists, the discussion was lively and thought-provoking, offering a range of perspectives.
The event also included two breakout sessions, where attendees formed smaller groups led by panelists and student advisory board members to share and discuss their own thoughts on free speech. The dinner provided undoubtedly attracted new voices who might not typically engage with such topics.
Many more Forum Student Advisory Board events are on the horizon, including two later this month. The Forum encourages students to attend its upcoming events in order to discuss issues of free speech on campus and in broader society.