The president of Princeton University, a constitutional law expert, reveals how colleges properly manage free expression on their campuses and how they can improve the fostering of political dialogue and enhance mutual respect.

Discussions about higher education are filled with accusations that American colleges and universities betray free expression, "installing" leftist dogmas among students and censoring political debates. However, these allegations are often misinterpreted.

In Terms of Respect, constitutional expert and Princeton University president Christopher L. Eisgruber argues that colleges and universities largely handle free expression correctly. Today's students engage in lively discussions on sensitive topics and embrace both the opportunity to learn and the right to protest.

Like previous generations, they value free expression, but like all of us, sometimes misunderstand what it requires. Ultimately, the polarized and turbulent atmosphere seen on many campuses reflects an American political crisis affecting universities along with the rest of society.

But, as Eisgruber asserts, colleges can contribute to promoting political dialogue in this noisy, angry world — and they can show us how to embrace free expression without sacrificing the ideals of equality, diversity, and respect.

Urgent and authentic, Terms of Respect is a passionate defense of our universities and a hopeful perspective on addressing the challenges that free expression poses for all of us.