(Washington, D.C., Friday, September 17, 2021) – A new report from the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA), Building a Culture of Free Expression in the Online Classroom, details how the rapid shift to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the ongoing free speech crisis on college campuses and encouraged more self-censorship among students.

The report relied upon empirical data drawn from student surveys, as well as insights from faculty and higher education leaders around the country.

Virtual classrooms allowed colleges to continue instruction during the pandemic and provided innovative ways for students and faculty to communicate and feel connected during a challenging year. Going forward, remote learning will continue to be a critical component of increasing the accessibility of higher education. However, this report draws attention to early warning signs that the online learning environment can be less hospitable to free and open debate than an in-person, on-campus collegiate education.

Administrators and policymakers must grapple now with how to refine policies and build norms so that faculty are free to teach, and students are free to learn in the online classroom, just as they are in the traditional classroom.

The report includes strategies and suggestions for governing boards, members of the faculty, and administrators to help them ensure that respectful disagreement, viewpoint diversity, and free expression are encouraged and protected on their campuses.

The American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) is an independent, nonprofit organization committed to academic freedom, academic excellence, and accountability at America’s colleges and universities. ACTA works to support liberal arts education, uphold high academic standards, safeguard the free exchange of ideas on campus, and ensure that the next generation receives an intellectually rich, high-quality education, at an affordable price.