The Chicago Principles, created at the University of Chicago, aim to promote “free expression and open discourse.” Inspired by the University’s efforts, many colleges and high schools have adopted their own versions of the principles and organized events and speakers to advocate for free expression.

A delegation of faculty members — including Mr. Craig Bradley, head of school, and Mr. Tom Drake, former director of the Center for Global Understanding and Independent Thinking — and three rising Seniors first attended the University of Chicago’s annual conference on free expression in 2019. The symposium was delayed for the past three years due to the pandemic, but returns this year.

On November 4-5, a dozen schools will gather at the University to discuss free expression on college campuses, as well as how to modify the Chicago Principles for secondary school students. Mr. Richard Hazelton, current director of the Center for Global Understanding and Independent Thinking, said the principles help ensure that “people of all different political backgrounds feel heard and welcomed without fear of being castigated for their viewpoints. Our hope is that after this conference, faculty will collaboratively [work to] help students develop the skills necessary for open dialogue.”