OT: Universities are place for open debate and vigorous discourse

We are all waiting for football season. And today is the next to last day for OT posts. Here is one I thought relevant to University life. There was an editorial today in the Chicago Tribune about the University of Chicago and freedom of expression. In a welcome letter sent to all incoming students in the class of 2020 from the dean of students, they are encouraged to understand that the university is meant to be a place of robust debate and open discussion. He writes:

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.

The Trib heartily seconds his letter, and the rejection of the idea of a "safe space" and "microaggressions" and "trigger warnings." I realize that a post like this can easily become politicized. The point of the letter, the point of the editorial, and the point of my post, is that this is apolitical. Regardless of one's political persuasion, or position on the issues of the day, or gender, or religion, or race, or culture, or language, or sexual preference, vigorous debate and even discomfort is a good thing. Shutting down discussion because you don't like the other person's position doesn't help. We need, imhe, more legitimate discourse.

I loved my time at UofM, and the opportunity to talk late into the night with fellow dorm mates and fraternity brothers and room mates. We sometimes didn't agree, but some of my best friends and I continue to have those kinds of discussions that we began many years ago. I hope that UofM, like Chicago, is a place for open discussion, and a forum where individuals coming from all over the spectrum can be heard.

LINK:  Why the U. of Chicago is the University of Common Sense.

(Edit:  I hope the link works. I subscribe to the Trib, and some things are paywalled. I'm sure if you use Google to search the news, or look for trending on facebook, you can find it).

Addendum:  As I reflect on MGoBlog, I like that at its' best, this is also a place for vigorous debate and discussion, albeit on Michigan athletics. You don't always agree with others, but you can argue about it, in a good way.