Two Takes On Trigger Warnings, Safe Spaces And Student Protest

University of Chicago
Phil Roeder / WBEZ
University of Chicago
Phil Roeder / WBEZ

Two Takes On Trigger Warnings, Safe Spaces And Student Protest

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A welcome letter sent out to incoming freshmen at the University of Chicago has stirred up a national debate about three phenomena on today’s college campuses: trigger warnings, safe spaces and protesters preventing speakers with whom they don’t agree from delivering remarks on campus. 

In the letter, Dean of Students John Ellison praises the university’s “commitment to freedom of inquiry and expression” and takes a stand against those three phenomena. 

The letter got people talking to say the least. It’s become a national news story and a hot topic for University of Chicago students to discuss on social media before they return to campus in September. 

Morning Shift talks to two people from the university community with differing takes on what’s become known as the “Chicago letter.” Rising junior Matt Foldi is president of the University of Chicago College Republicans and a staunch supporter of what’s laid out in the letter. Tyler Kissinger is not a fan. He’s a recent U of C alumnus who served as the school’s student government president for the past two years. We also open the phones.