Most universities would seek to create an education environment
where students would be free to speak opinions, hold beliefs, debate concepts without fear of
retribution. For example, University of Texas mission statement states its mission is to “advance
socially just learning and working environments that foster a culture of excellence through
diverse people, ideas and perspectives.”
The United Nations
Declaration of Human Rights was passed December 10, 1948 at the end of World War II in order to
prevent future atrocities similar to what happened to the Jews by Nazi Germany. In essence the
declaration was that human rights must be protected by the International community. The preamble
to the Declaration states:
"The recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal
and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice
and peace in the world….Disregard and contempt for human rights has resulted in barbarous acts
which have outraged the conscience of mankind. The advent of a world in which human beings shall
enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the
highest aspiration of the common
people."
Articles 18 and 19 primarily
represent that everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion, opinion and
expression and to hold those opinions without interference. These are the underlying concepts in
mission statements of most major universities which also include traditional concepts of
non-discriminatory policies in accordance with federal law.
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