Terms of Respect: How Colleges Get Free Speech Right

by Christopher L. Eisgruber

In this "forcefully persuasive book" (Joyce Carol Oates), the president of Princeton reveals how colleges are getting free speech on campuses right and how they can do better to nurture civil discourse and foster mutual respect

Conversations about higher education teem with accusations that American colleges and universities are betraying free speech, indoctrinating students with left-wing dogma, and censoring civil discussions. But these complaints are badly misguided. 
  
In Terms of Respect, constitutional scholar and Princeton University president Christopher L. Eisgruber argues that colleges and universities are largely getting free speech right. Today’s students engage in vigorous discussions on sensitive topics and embrace both the opportunity to learn and the right to protest. Like past generations, they value free speech, but, like all of us, they sometimes misunderstand what it requires. Ultimately, the polarization and turmoil visible on many campuses reflect an American civic crisis that affects universities along with the rest of society. But colleges, Eisgruber argues, can help to promote civil discussion in this raucous, angry world—and they can show us how to embrace free speech without sacrificing ideals of equality, diversity, and respect. 
  
Urgent and original, Terms of Respect is an ardent defense of our universities, and a hopeful vision for navigating the challenges that free speech provokes for us all. 

Genres: Nonfiction

294 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2025

Reviews

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a deliberative, thoughtful and incredibly important book. Written by the president of Princeton University, the author walks us through what free speech on campus is and how a commitment to free speech also requires a parallel commitment to diversity on campus. Rooted in Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis’ edict ideal that the answer to disagreeable speech isn’t censorship but instead is more, and better, speech.

While this book is a clear and intellectual defense of first amendment rights, where it really shines is on the campus environment. In the text Eisgruber highlights the role campuses have in fostering vigorous, intelligent and polite pursuit of truths. He also frames civility and the assumed social contexts of speech as being part and parcel with the speech itself. It’s not just what you are saying but the manner with which you deliver it. This isn’t “tone policing” rather it reinforces the idea that listening is as important as speaking. Finally the book is timely as it speaks to the pernicious politicalization and affective tribalism, fueled by social media, and the threat it offers to societies be they in campus or our country in general.

This is a well written, clear and persuasive boon that is important not just for academics but for anyone concerned with the ability of the US democratic institutions to thrive.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christopher Eisgruber is wise, kind, and smart. So is this book. The book is a road map for preserving equality and decency, as well as freedom of speech. It's mostly for college administrators, but there's a lot in there for anyone running an organization of tightly wound, opinionated people. It's (if you'll forgive the oxymoron) stridently moderate in walking a thin line between advocating for a strongly for (very) free speech, as well as "rules of the road" to assure that an institution can keep functioning all the while preserving an inclusive environment for a wide variety of constituencies. It's certainly not a memoir, but it's anchored in the author's experiences as president of Princeton, so it's also a bit Princeton-centric. Although he acknowledges missteps he's made, he offers a vigorous defense of American higher education generally, and he savages critics of elite universities, starting with William F. Buckley, and Ronald Reagan, then moving on to F.I.R.E., J. D. Vance, and you-know-who, the latter being mentioned only obliquely and only once by name. The book isn't all that well organized, and could have used a lot more vigorous editing than it got, but it is a smart, sophisticated book that is well worth reading.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

I downloaded this book after hearing the author speak on CBS Sunday morning. It was a great insight into how unrestrained "free speech" actually limits free speech because it becomes a shouting match where bullies will always win out. To have productive discourse, you have to have rules of civility that are enforced. Essentially, tolerating intolerance will only lead to biggots controlling the narrative.