University of Chicago says 'no' to trigger warnings and safe spaces

CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 30: A Pedestrian walks through the Main Quadrangles (Quad) on the Hyde Park Campus of the University of Chicago on November 30, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. The university president closed the campus today after the university was informed by the FBI that a threat of gun violence was made against the school specifically mentioning the "campus quad". (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

A letter outlining the University of Chicago’s freedom of expression policy went out to incoming freshman this week. The Dean of Students, John Ellison, announced the school does “not support so-called ‘trigger warnings’” nor does it “condone the creation of intellectual ‘safe spaces’”.

A letter outlining the University of Chicago’s freedom of expression policy went out to incoming freshman this week.

The Dean of Students, John Ellison, announced the school does “not support so-called ‘trigger warnings’” nor does it “condone the creation of intellectual ‘safe spaces’”.

Trigger warnings are content notifications that alert the reader of sensitive material. Safe spaces are places or forums for marginalized groups to convene and share without the risk of judgement from others.

Supporters of the school’s decision say those tactics can function as censorship, stymying the free exchange of diverse ideas on campus. Critics of the University of Chicago’s decision say students need to feel safe and comfortable before they can truly contribute to a debate and universities need to be more welcoming towards the needs of an increasingly diverse student body.

Will this elite school set a trend or lead other universities to distance themselves?

Guests:

Greg Lukianoff, President and CEO of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE); he co-authored The Atlantic’s September cover story, “The Coddling of the American Mind”

Nolan Cabrera, Ph.D.,assistant professor of education in the Center for the Study of Higher Education, University of Arizona; Cabrera's primary research interests include race/racism in higher education