Recent pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel demonstrations at universities across the country have thrust the issue of campus free speech into the spotlight, but an advocacy group has been quietly working the legal system to protect students’ right to express themselves without fear.
Speech First has won a series of court battles over schools’ attempts to restrict students’ speech with bias response teams and other monitoring activities. It often accuses schools of exhibiting bias against conservative or religious speech and now has Indiana University, one of the nation’s top research schools, in its sights.
“BRTs have increased on campuses over the last decade. In more recent years since COVID, we have seen them more widely used and advertised,” said Speech First Executive Director Cherise Trump.
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) – The future of education is on display at Indiana University South Bend as they kick off this year’s Titan Cadet program.
The immersive program is giving 47 high school students from area schools the opportunity to live on campus for two weeks while exploring a career in education.
Riley High School graduating senior Brisa Soto, has participated in the program twice. She acknowledges the difficulties of the teaching profession, but her experience in the program has solidified her decision.
“Being able to make an impact on student’s lives. Cause I feel like every student deserves that opportunity of getting a good education. That’s what keeps me motivated. I know a lot of people say why become a teacher the pay is not good and it’s a lot of stress. It does come with a lot of stress but you get to see all these kids grow and you get to lead on the next generation,” Soto says.
While they learn how to become educators, they will also earn six college credit towards their academic future. Soto, who will be attending IU South Bend in the fall, already has 12 college credits.
The program encourages under-represented groups to join the teaching profession.
Students and instructors both say while teaching may be a tough profession. Being able to teach the next generation of leaders and serve the community outweighs the difficulties
