This is why it's not always a good idea to go to university

Re-printed from 'The Catholic League' newsletter, by Bill Donahue.  It is shocking and probably the same -- or worse -- in Canada.  The presidents of the two biggest offenders are female, which, sadly, doesn't say much about our gender these days: 

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September 14, 2026

 

"Every year we learn about the status of free speech on college campuses from the surveys taken by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE). The 2027 “College Free Speech Rankings” that was recently published covers 261 colleges and universities encompassing almost 63,000 student responses to questions about free speech on campus.

"At the top of the list is the University of Chicago. Last place went to my alma mater, New York University."  (Note: the president is Lisa Mills.) "Of the 261 schools, 121 received a grade of “F” for their commitment to free speech; only 24 received a grade of “C” or higher.

"Students were asked about 22 controversial topics discussed on campus. The top ten most difficult to discuss are the following:

1. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict

2. Donald Trump

3. Charlie Kirk

4. Abortion

5. Immigration

6. Transgender rights

7. Gun control

8. Racial inequality

9. Religion

10. Gay rights

"It is conservative students, of course, who are feeling the pinch more than any other students.

"Students were asked about three kinds of protest that in normal times would have received little support. But we live in abnormal times.

• 69% say that shouting down a speaker is acceptable
• 50% say it is okay to block the speaker from speaking
• 30% approve of using violence to stop the speaker

"It is a sure bet that if truck drivers were asked about the same items, they would evince a more tolerant attitude. That’s one of the benefits of not going to college—you are less likely to be a fascist.

"Of the 261 colleges, eleven were Catholic. All got lousy scores.

"The grade of “D-” that Georgetown* received is better than the other ten, all of which received an “F.” Those schools are, in descending order, Fordham,* Duquesne, Marquette,* Notre Dame, Creighton,* Dayton, DePaul, Villanova, Loyola University of Chicago,* and Boston College.* The last two were ranked #254 and #255, respectively. [*Jesuit schools.]

"The biggest rip-off Catholic school in the country is Fordham University. Why? The Washington Post recently did an analysis of the most expensive colleges in the nation. Fordham is the eighth most expensive: it costs $102,188 a year. Yet it merited an “F” for respecting the right of students to exercise free speech."

(Note: the President is Tania Tetlow, look her up, a frothing Liberal.)

"Why are some of the more prominent Catholic colleges such hotbeds of intolerance? Note that six of the eleven are run by Jesuits. They need to explain themselves. Perhaps Father James Martin can shine some light on this.

 

"Parents of students looking for colleges to attend next year need to read the FIRE survey. If free speech is a problem on campus, that alone is reason to shop around."