Radio Free Campus

In this episode of Radio Free Campus, podcast co-hosts Steve McGuire and Justin Garrison talk with Benjamin Crocker, University Dean at the University of Austin (UATX), about UATX's founding mission, its early successes as a new university, and how UATX sees itself as offering a compelling alternative to what students get from most American universities today. Want to join ACTA's Webinar on Intellectual Diversity on May 6th? Register here: https://www.goacta.org/event/no-two-minds-alike/  

In this episode of Radio Free Campus, co-hosts Steve McGuire and Justin Garrison analyze an argument from a Harvard Law Professor claiming efforts to deplatform invited campus speakers are not always censorship, but could be . . . "pre-emptive protest"? The podcast hosts also discuss the results of ACTA's Ohio Report Card, a study of policies and student perspectives on the free expression climates at Ohio State, Kent State, Miami, Cincinnati, and OHIO. Steve and Justin also announce UC Davis Law School as this episode's "Hero of the People" and a UCLA professor as RFC's "Apparatchik of the Month." Want to join ACTA's Webinar on Intellectual Diversity on May 6th? Register here: https://www.goacta.org/event/no-two-minds-alike/ Ohio Report Card: https://www.goacta.org/campus-freedom-initiative/oh-report-card/ Ohio Survey: https://www.goacta.org/resource/campus-experience-survey-an-assessment-of-students-at-four-year-public-universities-in-ohio/ UCLA Report Card: https://www.goacta.org/campus-freedom-initiative/ucla-report-card/ Website: https://www.goacta.org/ Campus Freedom Initiative: https://www.goacta.org/campus-freedom-initiative/ Steve McGuire: https://www.goacta.org/staff/steven-mcguire/ Justin Garrison: https://www.goacta.org/staff/justin-garrison/  

Episode Description: In this episode of Radio Free Campus, co-hosts Steve McGuire and Justin Garrison analyze a new policy on teaching controversial topics in the University of Texas System. The podcast hosts also discuss what a new survey from Gallup/Lumina reveals about student free speech experiences on their campuses. Steve and Justin also debate an article from Inside Higher Ed that provides a Rawlsian defense of institutional neutrality. The show hosts also announce the University of Wyoming as this episode's "Hero of the People" and a professor from Stanford University as RFC's "Apparatchik of the Month." ACTA Gold Standard for Freedom of Expression: UT-Austin ACTA Gold Standard for Freedom of Expression Texas A&M ACTA Gold Standard for Freedom of Expression: University of Wyoming Website: https://www.goacta.org/ Campus Freedom Initiative: https://www.goacta.org/campus-freedom-initiative/ Steve McGuire: https://www.goacta.org/staff/steven-mcguire/ Justin Garrison: https://www.goacta.org/staff/justin-garrison/

In this episode of Radio Free Campus, podcast co-hosts Steve McGuire and Justin Garrison talk with John Tomasi, President of the Heterodox Academy (HxA) and co-editor of the new book Viewpoint Diversity: What It Is, Why We Need It, and How to Get It, about what viewpoint diversity means (and doesn't mean), where it is lacking on American campuses today, and what people can do to increase viewpoint diversity at colleges and universities now and in the future. Want a copy of Viewpoint Diversity for yourself, a friend, or a professor? Buy it here. Website: https://www.goacta.org/ Campus Freedom Initiative: https://www.goacta.org/campus-freedom-initiative/ Steve McGuire: https://www.goacta.org/staff/steven-mcguire/ Justin Garrison: https://www.goacta.org/staff/justin-garrison/

In this episode of Radio Free Campus, podcast co-hosts Steve McGuire and Justin Garrison talk with Sam Abrams, a professor of politics at Sarah Lawrence College and a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, about the explosion of antisemitism on American college campuses and what campus officials and political leaders should be doing about it. Find Dr. Abrams' recent article on how DEI is bad for the Jewish community here: https://www.algemeiner.com/2026/02/04/when-societys-good-intentions-for-jews-replace-equal-citizenship/ Website: https://www.goacta.org/ Campus Freedom Initiative: https://www.goacta.org/campus-freedom-initiative/ Steve McGuire: https://www.goacta.org/staff/steven-mcguire/ Justin Garrison: https://www.goacta.org/staff/justin-garrison/

In this episode of Radio Free Campus, co-hosts Steve McGuire and Justin Garrison talk about academic freedom and the Univ. of Arkansas rescinding a job offer for dean of the law school after complaints from state lawmakers about the candidate's legal work. The podcast hosts also discuss how Texas A&M has damaged its reputation by censoring Plato. Steve and Justin also announce Haverford College as this episode's "Hero of the People" and Sarah Lawrence College as RFC's "Apparatchik of the Month." Website: https://www.goacta.org/ Campus Freedom Initiative: https://www.goacta.org/campus-freedom-initiative/ Steve McGuire: https://www.goacta.org/staff/steven-mcguire/ Justin Garrison: https://www.goacta.org/staff/justin-garrison/

In this episode of Radio Free Campus, podcast co-hosts Steve McGuire and Justin Garrison talk with Marty Kotis, a trustee at UNC Chapel Hill, about how trustee leadership has strengthened free expression and intellectual diversity on campus. Website: https://www.goacta.org/ Campus Freedom Initiative: https://www.goacta.org/campus-freedom-initiative/ Steve McGuire: https://www.goacta.org/staff/steven-mcguire/ Justin Garrison: https://www.goacta.org/staff/justin-garrison/    

In this episode of Radio Free Campus, co-hosts Steve McGuire and Justin Garrison talk about how a recent Wall Street Journal article criticizing institutional neutrality makes the same mistakes as previous objections to such policies. The podcast hosts also discuss a recent article in Compact about a distinguished professor leaving Harvard for the greater intellectual diversity and rigor of the University of Florida's Hamilton School for Classical and Civic Education. Steve and Justin also announce the first "Hero of the People" and "Apparatchik of the Month" awards for 2026.   Website: https://www.goacta.org/ Campus Freedom Initiative: https://www.goacta.org/campus-freedom-initiative/ Steve McGuire: https://www.goacta.org/staff/steven-mcguire/ Justin Garrison: https://www.goacta.org/staff/justin-garrison/  

In this episode of Radio Free Campus, co-hosts Steve McGuire and Justin Garrison discuss the past, present, and future of academic freedom with David Rabban, a professor at the University of Texas School of Law and author of the book Academic Freedom: From Professional Norm to First Amendment Right. Steve and Justin also discuss academic freedom controversies such as the University of Oklahoma's grading scandal and a major political science journal's systemic problem of publishing articles on the basis of ideology rather than scholarly merit. They also announce 2025's final "Hero of the People" and "Apparatchik of the Month" awards. Want to buy Professor Rabban's book? Get it now! It's 30% off until Dec. 31 with this promo code: HOL25. Visit the publisher's website here: https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674291058 Want Professor Rabban to speak at your university or professional association? Contact him here: [email protected] ACTA's Gold Standard for Freedom of Expression Evaluation for University of Florida: https://www.goacta.org/campus-freedom-initiative/ufl-report-card/ Website: https://www.goacta.org/  Campus Freedom Initiative: https://www.goacta.org/campus-freedom-initiative/  Steve McGuire: https://www.goacta.org/staff/steven-mcguire/  Justin Garrison: https://www.goacta.org/staff/justin-garrison/  

In this episode of Radio Free Campus, co-hosts Steve McGuire and Justin Garrison discuss pandemonium at U.C. Berkeley as Antifa tries to shut down a TPUSA event. They interview Sarah McLaughlin of FIRE to talk about her new book, Authoritarians in the Academy, which documents the ways foreign governments such as China and Qatar try to suppress free speech and academic freedom at American universities. Steve and Justin also discuss Cornell University's settlement with the Trump administration and growing faculty use of AI in teaching. They also announce their latest "Hero of the People" and "Apparatchik of the Month" awards. Website: https://www.goacta.org/ Campus Freedom Initiative™: https://www.goacta.org/campus-freedom-initiative/ Steve McGuire: https://www.goacta.org/staff/steven-mcguire Justin Garrison: https://www.goacta.org/staff/justin-garrison/  

In this episode of Radio Free Campus, co-hosts Steve McGuire and Justin Garrison discuss the Trump administration's Compact for Excellence in Higher Education. Steve also talks about diversity of thought and campus freedom with Josh Dunn, the director of the Institute of American Civics at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Last but never least, Steve and Justin announce their latest "Hero of the People" and "Apparatchik of the Month" awards. Website: https://www.goacta.org/ Campus Freedom Initiative™: https://www.goacta.org/campus-freedom-initiative/ ACTA Statements on the Compact:  https://www.goacta.org/2025/10/acta-proposes-an-honorable-compact/ https://www.goacta.org/2025/10/acta-publica-conflicts-in-the-compact/ Steve McGuire: https://www.goacta.org/staff/steven-mcguire Justin Garrison: https://www.goacta.org/staff/justin-garrison/    

In this episode of Radio Free Campus, co-hosts Steve McGuire and Justin Garrison discuss the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk and what his murder might mean for the future of free expression in higher education. They interview ACTA President and CEO Michael Poliakoff about the perils we face and how we can all help de-escalate the tensions roiling America. Steve and Justin introduce ACTA's new Virginia Report Card, a systematic analysis of policies and survey data on the free speech and intellectual diversity climates at George Mason University, James Madison University, the University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Virginia Tech. You don't want to miss these results! They also preview ACTA's upcoming 30th anniversary celebration and announce their latest "Hero of the People" and "Apparatchik of the Month" awards. Radio Free Campus is offered by the Campus Freedom Initiative™ at the American Council of Trustees and Alumni. Email us at [email protected]! ACTA's 30th Anniversary: https://www.goacta.org/event/anniversary/ Virginia Report Card: https://www.goacta.org/campus-freedom-initiative/va-report-card/ Michael and Steve's Statement on the Assassination of Charlie Kirk: https://www.goacta.org/2025/09/on-the-assassination-of-charlie-kirk/ Website: https://www.goacta.org/ Campus Freedom Initiative™: https://www.goacta.org/campus-freedom-initiative/ Steve McGuire: https://www.goacta.org/staff/steven-mcguire Justin Garrison: https://www.goacta.org/staff/justin-garrison/ Michael Poliakoff: https://www.goacta.org/staff/michael-b-poliakoff  

In this episode of Radio Free Campus, co-hosts Steve McGuire and Justin Garrison talk with MIT philosopher Alex Byrne about efforts to cancel him for thinking differently about gender and sexuality—and then having the audacity to lend his expertise to the Department of Health and Human Services! Also, they discuss Columbia's settlement with the Trump administration, Attorney General Pam Bondi's recent memo on DEI, and a tale of two university presidents in Virginia. Finally, RFC announces its latest "Hero of the People" and "Apparatchik of the Month" awards.   Radio Free Campus is offered by the Campus Freedom Initiative™ at the American Council of Trustees and Alumni.

In this episode of Radio Free Campus, co-hosts Steve McGuire and Justin Garrison discuss the recent annual meeting of the Heterodox Academy in Brooklyn, NY, Harvard's claim that it wants to build a new center that can boost viewpoint diversity, and the perpetual security threats faced by the University of Michigan's Regents. They also discuss the nuclear meltdown of the University of Tulsa's Honors College with guest Jennifer Frey. Finally, RFC announces its latest "Hero of the People" and "Apparatchik of the Month" awards.   Radio Free Campus is offered by the Campus Freedom Initiative™ at the American Council of Trustees and Alumni.  

In this episode of Radio Free Campus, co-hosts Steve McGuire and Justin Garrison discuss Trump v. Harvard as well as . . . DEI for conservatives? Also in the episode, Steve and Justin welcome Eric Kaufmann of the University of Buckingham to discuss viewpoint diversity in higher education, as well as the need to support heterodox social science teaching and research. Finally, RFC announces its latest "Hero of the People" and "Apparatchik of the Month" awards. Radio Free Campus is offered by the Campus Freedom Initiative™ at the American Council of Trustees and Alumni.  

In this episode of Radio Free Campus, co-hosts Steve McGuire and Justin Garrison discuss the amazing work done by the University of Michigan Board of Regents to improve campus freedom. They also talk about the most recent campus protests at Columbia University and beyond. They also welcome John D. Sailer of the Manhattan Institute to discuss the DEI pipeline in faculty hiring. Finally, Steve and Justin give their first "Hero of the People" and "Apparatchik of the Month" awards. No idea what that last bit means? Listen and find out! Radio Free Campus is offered by the Campus Freedom Initiative™ at the American Council of Trustees and Alumni.