The University of California is about to ban all offensive statements and acts

On Thursday, the University of California regents are expected to affirm a "Statement of Principles against Intolerance" (PDF) which asserts that "Everyone in the University community has the right to study, teach, conduct research, and work free from acts and expressions of intolerance."

The measure bans a wide range of speech and actions, from graffiti of the swastika to any verbal expression of hate for an individual or group. And while the statement says it will "not apply to the free exchange of ideas in keeping with the principles of academic freedom and free speech," that assurance has not allayed concerns that the new policy will limit speech on campus by asserting a right not to be offended.

UCLA law professor Eugene Volokh argues that the statement will have a chilling effect on discussion of controversial subjects for students and non-tenured faculty concerned about losing their place in the school community. "The authors of the proposal love free and open exchange of ideas," he says of the regents' broad proscriptions, "until some ideas they dislike about, say, disabilities are expressed."

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