Purdue adopts ‘Chicago principles’ to protect free speech

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) _ Purdue University is stressing its commitment to free speech with a new policy modeled on one approved by the University of Chicago.

Purdue trustees this month became the first public university to adopt the “Chicago principles.”

The Journal & Courier reports (http://on.jconline.com/1PveTXt ) the principles arose from a string of events across the U.S. that included students trying to bar controversial commencement speakers.

Purdue’s policy states that members of the university are free to criticize speakers but says they “may not obstruct or otherwise interfere with the freedom of others to express views they reject or even loathe.”

Most speech is already permitted unless it violates the law, is falsely defamatory, constitutes a genuine threat or harassment or invades privacy or confidentiality. Those limits will continue under the new policy.