Many universities do not effectively communicate either their policies related to free speech or the values that animate those policies, leaving students, faculty, and staff in the dark. A dearth of communication does not align with many universities’ self-perception about how effectively and actively they communicate about free speech. With that in mind, I offer five practical suggestions for universities that want to accurately and transparently convey their policies and values about free speech.  

Critical thinking is discussed extensively in higher education research literature, especially through theories about how to define, measure, and develop “higher-order” cognitive skills. However, there is a less substantial body of scholarship exploring the connection between educational practices and critical thinking research. How is critical thinking being taught at colleges and universities, and how can educators use research to improve teaching practices?