The focus for Spring 2026's symposium is “Free Speech and the University.” This topic is intended to embrace and encourage interdisciplinary dialogue about the university’s multiple roles: as a place where knowledge is produced and disseminated by disciplinary experts who must be free of political constraints; as a home for expansive freedoms of thought and expression uninhibited by rigid dogmatism; and as a model for the possibilities of collegiality in governance and civility in discourse.
This workshop group is co-convened by:
Steve Sanders, Maurer School of Law
Russell Valentino, College of Arts and Sciences
Two external fellows are joining us this year during the April symposium.
Nadine Strossen, Professor Emerita, New York Law School
Bradford Vivian, Professor, Pennsylvania State University
TBS: Free Speech and the University Schedule
April 9-11, 2026
There are a limited number of in-person spots available. If interested in attending in person, please fill out the form linked below and indicate which date(s) you would like to attend. All sessions will also be available for online viewing via Zoom.
Sign up to attend the symposium in person
Thursday, April 9
Social Science Research Commons (Woodburn 200)
|
| 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM | Introductory Remarks by Conveners
Steve Sanders and Russell Valentino |
| 3:30 PM - 3:45 PM | Remarks by Chancellor David A. Reingold |
| 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM | Dialogue #1 |
| Heather Akou, Fashion Design |
| James Shanahan, Media School |
| Timothy Waters, Maurer School of Law |
| 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM | Conversation #1 |
Register for Day 1 webinar session here
Friday, April 10
O'Neill Room A335
|
| 9:30 AM - 9:45 AM | Welcome from IUIAS Interim Director
Suzanne Godby Ingalsbe |
| 9:45 AM - 10:30 AM | Dialogue #2 |
| Nicholas Almendares, Maurer School of Law |
| Deborah Cohn, Spanish and Portuguese |
| Alex Lichtenstein, History and American Studies |
| 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM | Conversation #2 |
| 11:30 AM - 12:30 AM | LUNCH BREAK |
| 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM | Dialogue #3 |
| Nadine Strossen, New York Law School |
| Bradford Vivian, Pennsylvania State University |
| 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM | Conversation #3 |
Register for Day 2 morning webinar session here
Register for Day 2 afternoon webinar session here
Saturday, April 11
O'Neill Room A335
|
| 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM | Dialogue #4 |
| Ronald Day, Information and Library Science |
| Olga Rodriguez-Ulloa, American Studies and Latino Studies |
| Jessica Storey-Nagy, Anthropology |
| 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM | Conversation #4 |
| 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM | LUNCH BREAK |
| 12:45 PM - 1:30 PM | Dialogue #5 |
| Anthony Fargo, Media School |
| Janine Giordano Drake, History |
| Lauren Kapalka Richerme, Music Education |
| 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM | Conversation #5 |
Register for Day 3 morning webinar session here
Register for Day 3 afternoon webinar session here
TBS: Free Speech and the University Cohort
Heather Akou, Professor, Fashion Design
Nicholas Almendares, Associate Professor, Maurer School of Law
Deborah Cohn, Professor, Spanish and Portuguese
Ronald Day, Professor, Information and Library Science
Janine Giordano Drake, Clinical Associate Professor, History
Anthony Fargo, Associate Professor, Media School
Alex Lichtenstein, Professor, History and American Studies
Lauren Kapalka Richerme, Professor, Music Education
Olga Rodriguez-Ulloa, Assistant Professor, American Studies and Latino Studies
James Shanahan, Professor, Media School
Jessica Storey-Nagy, Research Associate, Anthropology
Timothy Waters, Professor, Maurer School of Law
