Marc DeGirolami, the St. John Henry Newman Professor of Law and Co-Director of the Center for Law and the Human Person at Catholic Law, examines the transformation of universities in his forthcoming essay, The Traditional University and the Free Speech University, set to appear in the Notre Dame Law Review. In this compelling work, DeGirolami contrasts the traditional university, which he describes as dedicated to the pursuit and preservation of "the academic dogma," with the contemporary university, where free speech has become the ultimate ideal. Drawing on the insights of sociologist Robert Nisbet, he argues that the traditional university viewed truth and knowledge as sacred, while the modern "free speech university" elevates open expression as both a necessity and a fulfillment of academic freedom. This cultural shift, he contends, has contributed to the decline of the traditional university model.

DeGirolami’s essay does not advocate for the traditional university but underscores its unique purpose and cultural foundations. He acknowledges that some may see the traditional university’s mission as outdated and in need of replacement, a perspective he respects for its clarity and honesty. However, he challenges the idea that the traditional and free speech universities can coexist as the same institution, emphasizing their fundamentally different principles. By exploring this evolution, DeGirolami invites readers to consider the implications of this shift and what is gained or lost in the process.