UChicago's Forum for Free Inquiry and Expression Receives $100M Gift
"This transformative gift will allow us to build upon what we’ve started and have a much larger impact.” says Prof. Tom Ginsburg, the Forum's Faculty Director
The University of Chicago has announced a $100 million gift from an anonymous donor to support UChicago’s leadership on the principles and practice of free expression, and to advance the work of the University of Chicago Forum for Free Inquiry and Expression—both on campus and beyond.
Tom Ginsburg, Leo Spitz Distinguished Service Professor of International Law, serves as the faculty directory of the Forum, which was launched a year ago.
“Like many other societies, the United States is grappling with issues related to free expression, including misinformation, a polarized media environment, and a rising censoriousness,” said Ginsburg. “We want the Chicago Forum to build on the University’s traditions as the place for cutting‑edge thinking to address today’s challenges. We also want every student to have the experience of speaking their mind and the possibility of changing it in conversation with others. This transformative gift will allow us to build upon what we’ve started and have a much larger impact.”
David Rubenstein, ’73, chair of the University of Chicago Board of Trustees, observed: “Since its founding, the University of Chicago has had an unwavering commitment to free expression, standing out as a beacon among other great universities. “This commitment will make it possible for students and scholars as well as leaders in society to experience UChicago’s distinctive approach.”
The Chicago Forum had an ambitious first year. It hosted more than a dozen events—often on difficult subjects—from the war in Israel and Gaza to the impact of landmark Supreme Court cases. It extended its reach through its Academic Freedom Institute, in which leaders from more than 20 colleges and universities attended workshops on implementing academic freedom programs at their institutions. The Chicago Forum also launched an orientation program to introduce new members of the UChicago community to free expression, while providing funding to support a wide range of faculty and student research projects.
UChicago News story: “$100 million gift will advance UChicago’s commitment to free expression.”