Michael Roth on Campus Protests, Free Speech, and the Role of Higher Education
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In a recent America at a Crossroads discussion, Michael Roth, president of Wesleyan University and a longtime advocate for liberal education, shared his perspective on the surge of campus protests, the boundaries of free expression, and how universities can remain bastions of open dialogue in politically polarized times. Speaking with journalist Patt Morrison, Roth made the case that preserving the integrity of higher education means standing firm on the principles of pluralism, free inquiry, and student self-expression—even when it’s uncomfortable.
Protests and Moral Urgency on Campus
Roth, who has led Wesleyan for over 18 years, drew parallels between today’s student protests over the war in Gaza and the moral fervor of the Vietnam War era. “Many of these students are motivated by moral passion,” he said, rejecting the notion that they’re simply following a protest playbook. At the same time, Roth acknowledged the intensity of the criticism directed at university leaders, including himself, as students demand institutions take clear moral stances.
At Wesleyan, Roth has tried to strike a balance—defending students’ right to protest while ensuring that campus remains accessible and safe for all. “Protests should not prevent others from going about their lives,” he explained, emphasizing that the right to speak does not include the right to silence others.
Drawing the Line: Free Speech vs. Harassment
Central to the conversation was Roth’s belief in the importance of protecting speech—even provocative or offensive speech—unless it becomes harassment or intimidation. Drawing on his book Safe Enough Spaces, Roth explained that discomfort is a necessary part of intellectual growth, but crossing into threats or bullying is unacceptable.
This distinction came into focus with slogans like “from the river to the sea,” which many Jewish students find hurtful. “We may not like what’s said,” Roth remarked, “but that doesn’t mean it constitutes harassment.” Universities, he argued, must be careful not to conflate political rhetoric with threats unless there’s clear intent to harm.
The Politics of Commencement and Campus Expression
The conversation turned to recent controversies over commencement speeches and political statements at graduation ceremonies. Roth defended students who use those moments to express political views—even those he disagrees with. “Universities should not discipline students for exercising free expression in ways that are peaceful,” he said.
Roth also criticized Trump-era efforts to punish institutions seen as harboring “un-American” or “woke” ideologies. He described these efforts as performative politics, aimed more at energizing a base than addressing any real threat to public discourse.
Universities Under Siege
Roth expressed deep concern about the growing political attacks on universities from the right. He cited efforts to defund scientific research, politicize hiring, and eliminate diversity and equity initiatives as part of a larger movement to discredit higher education as a space for independent thought. “Authoritarian leaders are afraid of universities,” Roth said. “They’re places where people learn to think for themselves.”
He warned that if universities abandon their commitment to open debate and intellectual risk, they risk becoming irrelevant—or worse, complicit in authoritarian efforts to reshape public life.
Defending the University as a Space for Pluralism
Roth concluded with a hopeful vision of what a university should be: a place of self-discovery, critical thinking, and civic engagement. Even as students clash with administrators and each other, Roth believes those tensions are part of the educational process—not signs of failure.
“Universities are laboratories for freedom,” he said. “If we stop defending them as such, we’ll lose more than our campuses—we’ll lose a vital piece of our democracy.”
In a time of deep political division, Roth’s message is a timely call to preserve the university’s role as a space where disagreement is not feared but cultivated—and where education is inseparable from freedom itself.
About America at a Crossroads
Since April 2020, America at a Crossroads has produced weekly virtual programs on topics related to the preservation of our democracy, voting rights, freedom of the press, and a wide array of civil rights, including abortion rights, free speech, and free press. America at a Crossroads is a project of Jews United for Democracy & Justice.