Higher Education

OU, OSU students ding schools in free-speech survey

September 18, 2024

Ray Carter

A new report shows that the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University fare better than many colleges around the country when it comes to campus free speech, but surveyed students at the two schools still reported significant problems.

The College Free Speech Rankings survey, developed by Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) and administered by College Pulse, surveyed 58,807 undergraduates enrolled full-time in four-year degree programs at 258 colleges and universities in the United States. The survey was conducted from Jan. 25 through June 17, 2024.

The University of Oklahoma ranked 51st overall, but ranked lower in several subcategories, including 174th in students’ self-reported self-censorship, 194th in openness, and 217th in disruptive conduct (a measure of how accepting students are of shouting down speakers or using violence to disrupt free speech).

For every one conservative student at OU, FIRE found there are roughly two liberal students.

The report included comments from students at OU who were granted general anonymity.

“When I do written assignments, I often feel it will have an effect on my grade due to the professors’ stance on the topic,” wrote a student from the OU Class of 2026.

“Just hearing about other people get canceled or talked about on group chats about people who had different beliefs makes me uncomfortable to say something because I don’t want to get canceled,” wrote a member of OU’s Class of 2025.

“During the overturning of Roe v Wade, I felt uncomfortable expressing any opinions at all to anyone,” wrote a member of OU’s Class of 2025.

Oklahoma State University ranked 52nd overall but ranked 177th in self-censorship and 235th in openness (a measure of students’ perceived ability to have conversations about difficult topics on campus).

At OSU, FIRE found for every one conservative student, there is roughly one liberal student.

As with OU, students at OSU wrote of problems on campus, including faculty who actively try to ostracize students over viewpoint disagreement.

“I did express my opinion on the Black Lives Matter issue and a professor commented on my personal Facebook calling me ignorant,” wrote a member of OSU’s Class of 2024.

“In my history class, everyone would get offended so easily so you couldn’t express your feelings without somebody getting their feelings hurt,” wrote a member of the OSU Class of 2027.

“I am a sociology major and what comes with that are a lot of Liberal leaning views. I personally don’t like when my professors speak like they are pushing an agenda because it makes the environment hard to speak in, especially when you have different views. I think the professors need to teach without bias,” wrote a member of the OSU Class of 2025.

“I had two professors my freshman year that would constantly bash people who were Christian and who had conservative beliefs. One specific professor told the class, ‘You will not pass my class if you identify Republican,’” wrote a member of OSU’s Class of 2027.

The University of Tulsa, a private institution, substantially outranked Oklahoma’s two major state colleges. TU placed 23rd best overall.

Officials with FIRE said the rankings show the need for continued progress on free-speech issues in campus settings.

“These rankings highlight a pivotal moment in higher education, where the tension between maintaining a free speech environment and navigating deeply polarizing issues is more pronounced than ever,” said FIRE CEO Greg Lukianoff.

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression is dedicated to defending and sustaining Americans’ individual right to free speech and free thought.

[For more stories about higher education in Oklahoma, visit AimHigherOK.com.]