The University of Chicago has once again expressed its commitment to free speech, warning incoming freshmen not to expect any “trigger warnings” or safe spaces on campus where individuals can retreat from intellectual challenges. In a letter sent to the class of 2020, the dean of students for undergraduates explained the private university’s “commitment to freedom of inquiry and expression.”

As a college, there should never be safe spaces to retreat from an intellectual challenge - but safe spaces for communities that are often targeted frequently would not be a bad thing.

They don't care if their students are offended and they're not going to cater to those who are.

So basically, for example, if a pro-choice individual speaks, they don't care if pro-lifers are offended - if a Neo-Nazi was invited to talk, they don't care if black people are offended. They think it's all fair game in the name of intellectual challenge.

Originally posted by Obsession As a college, there should never be safe spaces to retreat from an intellectual challenge - but safe spaces for communities that are often targeted frequently would not be a bad thing.

Originally posted by Obsession They don't care if their students are offended and they're not going to cater to those who are. So basically, for example, if a pro-choice individual speaks, they don't care if pro-lifers are offended - if a Neo-Nazi was invited to talk, they don't care if black people are offended. They think it's all fair game in the name of intellectual challenge.

Originally posted by C SLAYCLAIR oh lordt jesus this is a big deal

The one thing about safe spaces that I think inhibits education (and this is coming from someone who is supportive of safe spaces) is that it doesn't really lend to variation. Someone who is in a safe space for a specific community may not necessarily learn as much as they would if they were exposed to a multitude of cultures and beliefs. Safe spaces create a gateway to eschew those opportunities for growth in favor of comfort.

At the same time, it's pretty unreasonable to expect students to put themselves at risk in the name of academic and educational progress. It's always great to have an environment that brings about new perspectives and opportunities, but not when it comes with the potential of harm whether it be physically, psychologically or otherwise.

Originally posted by princedonte Millennials are so pathetic. They want safe places from people who don't agree with them. Glad they didn't get it.

Originally posted by Obsession The one thing about safe spaces that I think inhibits education (and this is coming from someone who is supportive of safe spaces) is that it doesn't really lend to variation. Someone who is in a safe space for a specific community may not necessarily learn as much as they would if they were exposed to a multitude of cultures and beliefs. Safe spaces create a gateway to eschew those opportunities for growth in favor of comfort.

I think the college is looking at it from the perspective of when refuge turns to isolation - where one sees a safe space as their natural habitat. It can often be a place where individuals annex themselves from society.

I'm not arguing that it's the most correct viewpoint, it's just not an entirely uninformed one either. The truth of the matter is, freedom of speech is a guarantee that there can never be a truly safe space. It's a balance that even the best of us have yet to strike - no community has ever been able to truly balance the policing of someone's words and actions against the freedom they have to voice those words and perform those actions.

One could argue the college's actions encourage students to develop strength in their convictions as they are forced to intermingle with society (much as they will have to do out in the open world.) However, the problem is that even in the real world, we are currently in the process of trying to ensure there are places where one is at less risk. I think in a college as a controlled community, there's definitely not only an opportunity but even an obligation to ensure that students aren't needlessly at risk for the sake of educational development.

Originally posted by C SLAYCLAIR I'm sort of confused can someone dumb this down a little for me?