When it comes to tolerating offensive speech, American colleges and universities often hold themselves to a lower standard than the rest of society. Kentucky State University, for instance, includes “embarrassment” on its list of sanctionable “offenses against persons.” Dickinson College promises to sic its Bias Education & Response Team on those whose speech is deemed “offensive or inflammatory to some”—even if no rule has been violated.
In “Speak Freely: Why Universities Must Defend Free Speech,” Keith Whittington argues...