Reinvigorating the University

Are you a current or former Sun Devil passionate about protecting free speech, academic freedom, and viewpoint diversity at Arizona State University? Then please join us in Tempe on Wednesday, Nov 13, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm, on the top floor of the Canopy Hotel, for an hour of congenial networking, discussion, and information-sharing about a new Alumni Free Speech Alliance (AFSA) chapter forming at ASU, tentatively named Devil’s Advocates for Free Speech.

AFSA is a nonpartisan nonprofit that formed three years ago to give alumni a stronger voice in the nation’s higher-ed reform debates. Our membership is ideologically diverse. What we share is a common interest in defending fundamental academic values like unfettered free speech, open inquiry, civil debate, intellectual diversity, and academic freedom at our alma maters and beyond. We’re there to speak up when the schools we love stray from the fundamental academic values that made our time there worthwhile. Our nearly 30 chapters, all of which are organized and led by volunteers, have proven that they can be a respected and formidable force for constructive change at their alma maters. And we believe ASU would greatly benefit from having a chapter, now and into the future, for reasons we’ll explain on Nov. 13.

The event is free and open to all interested parties. Happy hour food and refreshments will be served. Feel free to bring along an interested friend or colleague. We simply ask that you register in advance so we can keep an accurate headcount. If you have questions, please contact AFSA’s Sean Paige at 719-337-0355 or [email protected]

We look forward to seeing you on Nov. 13.

Steve McGuire is the Paul & Karen Levy Fellow in Campus Freedom at the American Council for Trustees and Alumni. Dr. McGuire writes, podcasts, and speaks on free speech and academic freedom in the context of contemporary campus issues. He also assists with related ACTA rapid responses, reports, and initiatives. Prior to joining ACTA, Dr. McGuire was director of the Matthew J. Ryan Center for the Study of Free Institutions and the Public Good and associate teaching professor in the Augustine and Culture Seminar Program at Villanova University.

Sean Paige is a recovering Washingtonian and Colorado transplant with 30 years of experience in journalism, media relations, politics, public policy, and grassroots advocacy. He is currently the executive director for the Alumni Free Speech Alliance (AFSA).

Joe Pitts is the cofounder and CEO of the Western Tribune, a nonprofit news media outlet focused on delivering high quality news and opinion to Arizona and the American West. He is currently employed at a public policy think tank in Washington, D.C. He graduated from Arizona State University in May 2023.

Alumni Free Speech Alliance (AFSA)

Western Tribune

Host or Publisher Joe Pitts