27% say colleges give conservatives ‘respectful environment’

More adults think expression should be restricted on campus but acknowledge conservatives are least welcome to speak, according to a new poll out from the University of Chicago.

Only 61 percent of respondents said conservatives can “freely speak their minds” on campus “a lot,” according to the survey, released Oct. 2. The Associated Press and the University of Chicago Forum for Free Inquiry and Expression collaborated on the project.

Thirty-seven percent said conservatives can speak their minds on campus “only a little” or “not at all,” according to the data.

“People are least likely to believe conservatives can freely express themselves or be included and respected on campuses,” according to a news release on the poll from the AP. Even more, while forty-six percent said colleges do a “very good job” or “somewhat good job” at offering “a respectful and inclusive environment” for liberals, just 27 percent said higher education does the same for conservatives, according to the data.