ACTA Supports Legislators’ Efforts to Protect Free Speech on Campus

A recent survey of 486 colleges by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression found that 88% of institutions have speech codes on the books that improperly restrict free expression. New Hampshire’s new legislation, House Bill 516, would ban so-called “free speech zones,” which limit speakers to small, out-of-the-way parts of campus. It would also require institutions to adopt legally sound definitions to safeguard protected speech from clear cases of harassment or disruption. These standards would serve to further cement New Hampshire as a leader on campus free expression. Read ACTA’s letter of support below: 

Dear Representative: 

I wanted to reach out to you in light of your recent work on HB516. As a nonprofit organization committed to the preservation of academic freedom, excellence, and accountability, the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) appreciates your efforts to safeguard freedom of speech on college campuses. We share your sentiment that rational debate and the free exchange of ideas are the lifeblood of both higher education and our democracy.  

In this spirit, I would like to offer our aid if there is any way we can be of assistance. For over 25 years, ACTA has worked with trustees and public officials across the country to ensure that all Americans can receive a high-quality education at an affordable price. We have testified before various state legislatures and commissions in states including Florida, New Jersey, Alaska, Georgia, Montana, Texas, and Pennsylvania, on matters such as curricular quality, academic assessment, and institutional accountability.  

If there is anything we can do to help your efforts to support HB516, or in any matter in the future, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly.

We are immensely grateful for your commitment to American higher education, and I look forward to hearing from you.  

Armand B. Alacbay  
Chief of Staff & SVP of Strategy