The University of Chicago Just Issued a Trigger Warning About Trigger Warnings
Earlier this summer, the incoming freshman class of the University of Chicago received a welcome letter that, for some, probably didn't feel so welcoming.
In the recently surfaced mailer to the class of 2020, the college expressed its commitment to free speech and expression and weighed in on the controversial trend of "trigger warnings" in the college classroom.
Let's just say they aren't in favor of them.
The letter from the college's dean of students, John (Jay) Ellison, starts by congratulating the recipients on their acceptance to the university and then quickly dives into the its intended message:
"Once here you will discover that one of the University of Chicago's defining characteristics is our commitment to freedom of inquiry and expression," he wrote.
"Members of our community are encouraged to speak, write, listen, challenge, and learn, without fear of censorship. Civility and mutual respect are vital to all of us, and freedom of expression does not mean the freedom to harass or threaten others. You will find that we expect members of our community to be engaged in rigorous debate, discussion, and even disagreement. At times this may challenge you and even cause discomfort."
And then, the crux of his writing:
"Our commitment to academic freedom means that we do not support so-called 'trigger warnings,' we do not cancel invited speakers because their topics might prove controversial, and we do not condone the creation of intellectual 'safe spaces' where individuals can retreat from ideas and perspectives at odds with their own."
The University is hardly the first to weigh in on the idea of trigger warnings, a debate that is very much alive in modern academia, with universities coming down on both sides of the conversation. But isn't it a little aggressive to send out a note to excited, incoming freshman saying their school isn't a "safe space"?
It's almost like they issued a trigger warning about their lack of trigger warnings. But that couldn't have been their intention, right?
Read the full letter below:
