Chicago Principles

The Chicago Principles

The Chicago Principles, created in 2014 at the University of Chicago, is one of the pillars of university free speech. The three-page document declares UChicago's guarantee on freedom of expression, and has been adopted officially by over 100 universities.


A commitment to free speech transcends temporary partisan allegiances. As mentioned in the document, in 1932, University of Chicago President Hutchins defended the right of the Communist Party's presidential candidate to lecture on campus.


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) and the Shils Report (faculty hiring and promotion should be based on merit).


Click here to access the Chicago Principles.