The University of Michigan is an institution with diverse communities, interests and opinions. In Fall 2024, the Faculty Senate Office launched this series – Political Speech and the Public Square – to provide a forum for members of the U-M community to present informed, fact-based perspectives, and to listen to and learn from each other. In his essay, “Education as a Space to Change Your Mind,” philosopher Troy Jollimore reminds us of Socrates’ commitment to open-mindedness: “It requires that we work toward developing a sense of the world as a vast and complex place that we can, and ought to, continue to learn about for the rest of our lives.”

Offered in this spirit of intellectual humility, to support the principles of academic freedom, and to develop a campus climate comfortable with hearing different well-informed points of view, even those counter to one’s own views, the lunchtime series will take place on the Diag throughout the Fall. U-M Students, staff, and faculty can sign up in advance to request an opportunity to speak on select topics for 3-5 minutes. Or they can simply come to listen and learn. These events are co-sponsored by the Faculty Senate Office, the Center for Democracy & Civic Empowerment, Open Inquiry: Talking Maize & Blue, and Central Student Government.