The Chicago Principles, created in 2014 at the University of Chicago, stand as one of the pillars of university free speech. This three-page document declares UChicago's absolute guarantee on freedom of expression and has since been adopted officially by over 110 universities.
A commitment to free speech transcends temporary partisan allegiances. As noted in the document, in 1932, University of Chicago President Hutchins defended the right of the Communist Party's presidential candidate to lecture on campus—a testament to the institution's endurance against political pressure.
The Chicago Principles compose one part of what Prof. Dorian Abbot calls "The Chicago Trifecta," the other two being:
The Kalven Report A university and its subunits should not advocate political positions (Institutional Neutrality).
The Shils Report Faculty hiring and promotion must be based strictly on merit (Academic Competence).