Skip to main content

- What We Do
- What we defend
- Have your rights been violated?
  If you face retaliation over protected speech, reach out to FIRE to learn more about how we can protect your rights.
  Submit a Case
- Make a difference
- Take Action
  Across the nation, free speech rights are under attack. Join us in defending this essential quality of liberty. Make your voice heard and join a campaign.
  Protect Free Speech
- FIRE Student Network
  FIRE’s 2022 College Free Speech Rankings are based on the voices of more than 44,000 currently enrolled students at 208 colleges and are designed to help parents and prospective students choose the right school.
  Build Your Network
- Resources
- College Free Speech Rankings
  Presented by FIRE and College Pulse, the 2025 College Free Speech Rankings is the largest survey of campus free expression ever performed.
  Explore Rankings
- National Speech Index
  The National Speech Index is a new quarterly component of America’s Political Pulse, an ongoing weekly survey that will allow researchers to track shifting free speech sentiment in America over time.
  Learn More
Colleges
News
Cases
About Us
Submit a Case

Table of Contents

Victory for the Free Speech Trustee Candidates

by

David French

May 13, 2005

After a day of swirling rumors, it is now official: Dartmouth’s free speech trustees have won. Peter Robinson and Todd Zywicki have been elected to the Dartmouth College Board of Trustees, where they will no doubt work to transform Dartmouth into a true marketplace of ideas—restoring a culture of free speech and (not coincidentally) leading Dartmouth into further national prominence and influence.

Peter and Todd now join T.J. Rodgers as independent voices on Dartmouth’s board. When T.J. was elected a year ago, many people dismissed him as an anomaly. With the election of two more trustees—this time in the face of a strong establishment reaction and extensive voting irregularities that favored establishment candidates—Dartmouth is facing not an “anomaly” but a genuine free speech movement.

Recent Articles

FIRE’s award-winning Newsdesk covers the free speech news you need to stay informed.

Free Speech Forum attendees explore Washington

Free Speech Forum empowers next generation of First Amendment heroes

July 17, 2025

A week of dialogue, debate, and discovery, this year’s forum united students from across the country to explore free expression and build lasting connections.

Age verification page on website

Supreme Court case upholding age-verification for online adult content newly references 'partially protected speech,' gives it lesser First Amendment scrutiny

July 14, 2025

In FSC v. Paxton, the Court lowers First Amendment protections for adult sites, upholding Texas’ age-verification law and coining a new category — “partially protected speech.”

Person uses phone as social media icons float out of it

All that glitters is not gold: A brief history of efforts to rebrand social media censorship

July 11, 2025

Lawmakers are rebranding online speech regulations as child safety or consumer protection, but the First Amendment isn’t fooled. This piece unpacks the censorship hiding behind the spin.

Students stand together in a circle

Missouri governor signs legislation securing students’ rights to freely associate on campus

July 10, 2025

A new law protects campus groups’ freedom to set their own membership rules — affirming students don’t leave the First Amendment at the campus gate.

Share

Share this selection via email