Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry Signs Executive Order to Strengthen Free Speech Protections on College Campuses
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has issued an executive order aimed at enhancing free speech protections on the state’s college campuses.
The order directs the Louisiana Board of Regents to develop recommendations for improving policies related to freedom of expression and to collaborate with universities in crafting clear guidelines. This move builds upon a 2018 state law that requires colleges and universities to submit annual reports to the state legislature and governor’s office, documenting “any barriers to or incidents against free expression that occurred at the institution.”
“Students should be able to freely engage in discussions and talk about ideas and the things that they believe in because that is how we grow,” Landry stated in a news conference. “That is how we are educated, rather than indoctrinated.”
“Unfortunately, what we’ve seen in college campuses around the country is where, again, as I said, one voice seems to be quieted while another seems to yell,” he added.
The governor made these remarks during an event co-hosted with the Turning Point USA chapter at Louisiana State University. Landry highlighted instances where conservative voices, such as Charlie Kirk, had been “canceled” for expressing their opinions.
The executive order is designed to protect “all viewpoints” and promote civil discourse and debate at public universities. Ethan Vogin, vice president of the TPUSA chapter at LSU, explained at the news conference, “For far too long, college faculty and our peers have cultivated an atmosphere and an environment that promotes one ideology and one set of values as the only acceptable values.”
Misti Cordell, Chairwoman of the Board of Regents, also expressed support for the initiative.
“On college campuses, we have bright young minds,” she said. “They have their own voice and values and morals and things that they would like to uphold. These voices we need to keep strong because they carry on into our future.”
