The University of Chicago has received a $100 million gift from an anonymous donor to support its leadership in free expression and advance the work of the University of Chicago Forum for Free Inquiry and Expression. This donation will help promote understanding, practice, and advancement of free discourse both on campus and globally.

Launched by President Paul Alivisatos in 2023, the Chicago Forum aims to bring together students, faculty, higher education leaders, and various guests to discuss challenges related to free inquiry and expression. “The University of Chicago has an unparalleled history of devotion to upholding free inquiry and expression. Our community has developed principles and policies that are widely seen as global exemplars in our quest to be a place of truth seeking,” said Alivisatos. He added that the gift would allow for significant deepening of these practices at UChicago and expand this work on a larger scale.

David Rubenstein, chair of the University’s Board of Trustees, highlighted UChicago's longstanding commitment: “Since its founding, the University of Chicago has had an unwavering commitment to free expression, standing out as a beacon among other great universities.”

Tom Ginsburg, inaugural faculty director of the Chicago Forum, noted current societal challenges: “Like many other societies, the United States is grappling with issues related to free expression.” He emphasized that the transformative gift would allow for greater impact in addressing these challenges.

In its first year, the Chicago Forum hosted more than a dozen events on topics such as the war in Israel and Gaza. It also extended its reach through workshops attended by leaders from over 20 colleges and universities. The forum launched an orientation program introducing new members of UChicago’s community to free expression principles.

Tony Banout, executive director of the Chicago Forum, expressed admiration for how faculty and students engage with these issues: “We have been impressed with the way faculty and students courageously and boldly engage with these issues in nearly every corner of the University.”

UChicago’s commitment to free expression dates back to its founding in 1890. The Kalven Report during the Vietnam War era stressed institutional neutrality while promoting freedom of inquiry. The University's stance was reaffirmed through its 2015 Chicago Principles.

Looking ahead, this historic gift will help expand orientation programming for UChicago students, faculty research on free expression issues across disciplines including AI and blockchain technologies' impact on speech. A fellowship program will be launched inviting scholars who challenge existing orthodoxy or face suppression in their home countries.

Ginsburg stated plans for future events aimed at fostering difficult yet essential conversations: “This isn’t easy work; that’s why we call these hard conversations... But it’s worth it because that friction is how we improve our ideas.”

To learn more about ongoing initiatives visit their website.