University of California delays vote to ban political speech on websites

University of California regents have postponed a vote on a proposal to ban professors and staff from posting personal views on campus web pages amid concerns about restrictions to free speech. The proposal would prevent employees from posting personal opinions on the homepages of the university system’s academic departments.

While most regents support the proposal’s intention to stop employees from posting personal opinions on department homepages, it has sparked debate surrounding its potential impact on academic freedom.

Concerns have been raised about limiting free speech and restricting where employees can express views that might be interpreted as representing the university’s official stance. The debate reflects broader tensions on campuses over contentious issues like Israel’s war against Hamas.

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On March 20, the homepage of the UC Santa Cruz Critical Race and Ethnic Studies department called Israel’s bombing of Gaza “genocidal,” which could be banned under the new rules.

The regents will continue to revise the proposal with input from faculty and stakeholders before a final vote in May, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

The proposal comes less than a month after the University of California-Berkeley reportedly denounced protests that forced the evacuation of attendees from a speech by an Israeli attorney and former member of the Israel Defense Force.

The regents are considering the proposal, which, if passed, would apply to the University of California system’s 10 schools.