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Rutgers: There’s No Such Thing As ‘Free Speech’

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A guide to preventing “bias incidents” published by Rutgers University warns students that the idea of “free speech” is a lie, Campus Reform reports.

“There is no such thing as ‘free’ speech. All speech has a cost and consequences,” opens the page dedicated to the school’s “Bias Prevention & Education Committee.” The page, maintained by the school’s office of student affairs, encourages students to “think before you speak” and also offers four other core suggestions to avoid the specter of bias incidents.

“Engage,” says one tip. “Join activities, programs, courses, and practices that promote diversity and social justice.”

“Lose stereotypes about any group,” says another. “There is no such thing as a ‘positive’ stereotype. All stereotypes are inherently negative, hurtful, and damaging.” (RELATED: Rutgers Students Demand Greater Mascot Diversity)

The page’s definition of what constitutes a bias incident is quite broad, to say the least.

“Bias Acts Are: Verbal, written, physical, psychological acts that threaten or harm a person or group on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, atypical heredity or cellular blood trait, military service or veteran status,” the description reads. (RELATED: Bill Nye Paid $35k By Rutgers To Tell Students Not To Believe Global Warming Skeptics)

Rutgers has had issues with free expression in the past. In 2014, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice chose not to speak at the school’s commencement after widespread student and faculty protests blasted her as a “war criminal.”

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