To the Esteemed Recent Graduates of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
On behalf of the MIT Free Speech Alliance (MFSA), we extend our most sincere congratulations on reaching this significant milestone: graduation from MIT. This achievement represents the culmination of years of intense dedication, intellectual rigor, and remarkable perseverance within one of the world's most demanding and stimulating academic environments. You have navigated complex challenges, pushed the boundaries of knowledge, and honed the skills necessary to shape the future. Your hard work is truly commendable, and we celebrate your success.
As you transition from students to alumni, carrying the invaluable education and experiences gained at the Institute, we reflect on the foundational elements that underpin the discovery, innovation, and critical thinking that MIT champions. Among the most crucial is the principle of free expression. This principle has faced complex tests and generated significant discussion both globally and right here on our campus over the past four years. Events such as the cancellation of a guest lecture due to views expressed outside the lecture's topic sparked intense debate about academic freedom and institutional pressures. More recently, navigating passionate campus protests related to geopolitical conflicts, the meaning and impact of certain chants or slogans, and the application of time, place, and manner rules for demonstrations has highlighted the delicate balance between open discourse, safety, and community well-being. These situations, alongside ongoing discussions about institutional neutrality and the adoption of MIT's own Statement on Freedom of Expression, underscore the vital importance – and the inherent challenges – of upholding free inquiry. A truly vibrant intellectual community depends on thoughtfully engaging with these challenges and reaffirming its commitment to the open exchange of ideas, even when difficult.
The mission of the MIT Free Speech Alliance is to protect and promote freedom of expression, open inquiry, and viewpoint diversity at MIT. To effectively advocate for an environment where these principles flourish for current and future generations of students, we rely on understanding the lived experiences of those who have recently navigated the Institute, particularly through such complex times.
Therefore, we turn to you, the newest members of the MIT alumni community, with a thoughtful request. We invite you to share your reflections on the climate for freedom of expression during your undergraduate or graduate years at MIT. Your insights are invaluable. We are keen to understand:
Your candid feedback – whether recounting specific situations, offering general observations, or suggesting concrete improvements – will directly inform our understanding and guide our efforts to advocate for policies and a campus culture that robustly support the free exchange of ideas. Please share your thoughts and experiences by contacting us via [whatever email you'd like].
Furthermore, if you share our commitment to safeguarding these essential principles at the Institute, we warmly invite you to join the MIT Free Speech Alliance. Membership is free and provides an opportunity to stay informed and support our ongoing work in advocating for open inquiry and viewpoint diversity at MIT. You can learn more and join us via our website: mitfreespeech.org.
Once again, congratulations on your extraordinary achievement. We wish you every success in your future endeavors and hope that the spirit of rigorous inquiry and open exploration you cultivated at MIT continues to guide you.
Sincerely,
The MIT Free Speech Alliance