ACTA has sent a letter to Washington Senators John Braun and Lynda Wilson in support of Senate Bill 6103, which would have required all incoming undergraduate students to participate in a free speech fundamentals workshop. The bill has been referred to the Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee. The text of ACTA’s letter can be read below.
I wanted to reach out to you in light of your recent work on Senate Bill 6103. As a nonprofit organization committed to preserving academic freedom, academic excellence, and accountability at America’s colleges and universities, the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) appreciates your efforts to safeguard free expression on campus. Your work to ensure that students are made aware of their fundamental right to free speech on campus is essential.
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 legislatures and commissions in states including Florida, New Jersey, Alaska, Georgia, Montana, Texas, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Ohio on matters such as curricular quality, free expression, and institutional accountability.
Lawmakers across the country are engaging in dialogue over free speech orientations. This past year, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin required all public colleges in the state to include free speech programs in their student orientations. Both Purdue University and Princeton University have paved the way by implementing free speech orientation programs without any directives from their states’ legislatures. These initiatives expose students to what their rights on campus are and teach them the indispensable skills of civil discourse and thoughtful debate.
If there is anything we can do to help your efforts to support Senate Bill 6103, 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.
Sincerely,
Armand Alacbay
Chief of Staff & SVP of Strategy
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