10% of University Students Report Frequent Self-Censorship on Campus, ACTA Survey Reveals

A recent survey conducted by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) in partnership with College Pulse indicates that one in ten (10%) undergraduate students at Pennsylvania State University "very often" feel unable to express their opinions due to concerns about how others might react. This finding highlights a significant issue regarding free expression within higher education institutions.

The statistic gained attention following a tweet by Steve McGuire, Paul & Karen Levy Fellow on Campus Freedom at ACTA, who stated, "> 10% said they’re conservative: https://t.co/6SPbMdTNP8". While McGuire's tweet implied that 10% of students identify as conservative, the comprehensive ACTA/College Pulse "Campus Experience Survey" for Penn State clarifies that the 10% figure refers to the overall percentage of students across all political leanings who frequently self-censor. The survey further notes that conservative students (17%) are disproportionately more likely than liberal students (6%) to report this high level of self-censorship.

The October 2024 survey, which polled 2,032 Penn State undergraduates, delves into various aspects of campus free speech. It reveals that a substantial 67% of students believe the current political climate on campus prevents them from expressing their true beliefs, fearing offense to others. This sentiment is particularly strong among conservative students (78%) compared to their liberal counterparts (58%), suggesting a perceived chilling effect on dissenting viewpoints.

Beyond self-censorship, the findings underscore broader discomfort with open discourse. Nearly half (47%) of students reported feeling uncomfortable discussing controversial political topics in class, and 39% felt similarly in common campus spaces. ACTA, an organization dedicated to academic freedom and accountability, emphasizes that these trends necessitate a re-evaluation of campus environments to ensure genuine intellectual diversity and open exchange of ideas.

The survey's insights align with ACTA's mission to foster environments where students can engage in robust debate without fear of reprisal. The organization advocates for university leaders to actively promote free expression and viewpoint diversity as fundamental principles of higher education. The data suggests that while the issue of self-censorship impacts a broad spectrum of students, those with conservative viewpoints often experience a heightened sense of inhibition.