CDNY Response to Liberty University

The College Democrats of New York are deeply disappointed with Liberty University’s decision to ban the Liberty University chapter of College Democrats from campus. This attempt to stifle alternate opinions is fundamentally opposed to the spirit of free speech necessary for higher education and the health of America’s democracy. We hope that Liberty University reverses its decision and incorporates the College Democrats into an environment of academic freedom and tolerance that furthers the University’s mission of educating America’s future leaders.

We are proud that the College Democrats of New York contains chapters at many colleges and universities of faith. We thank these schools that, in the spirit of academic freedom, embrace pluralism and respect ideological differences. They recognize the importance of intellectual curiosity and welcome the discussion of society’s most pressing issues and their vigorous debate on campus. By encouraging the student body to engage these questions—rather than ignore them—our universities not only develop better-educated students but more active and involved citizens.