By nature, a university is a place where diverse ideas clash. Institutions of higher learning are, as they should be, places where students can express and be exposed to different opinions, views, and attitudes about a wide variety of topics. Some are more contentious than others, but that does not stop us from having them. The pursuit of truth involves difficult conversations. In this opinion piece, Chancellor Daniel Diermeir, explains how policies in place at Vanderbilt University, including a policy of institutional neutrality, work to protect both free speech and the safety of those on campus. His description of how the school handled a recent incident involving student protests demonstrates why such policies are necessary.
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