NDSU’s Northern Plains Ethics Institute is scheduled to host “Does Free Expression Always Make Us Smarter and Stronger? An Educational Conversation” Wednesday, Dec. 6, at 3 p.m. in the atrium room of the McGovern Alumni Center.

The event is free and open to the public.

Several speakers will address how a university balances the values of free speech, openness and non-discrimination.

The keynote speaker is set to be Jeff Snyder, assistant professor of educational studies at Carleton College. Snyder, who joined the Carleton faculty in 2012, is a historian of education. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Carleton College, his master’s degree at Harvard University and doctorate at New York University.

Other speakers include:

• William Fleck, NDSU College Democrats president

• Kara Gravley-Stack, NDSU campus diversity initiatives

• Bradley Foster, NDSU Young Americans for Liberty president

The institute has addressed important ethical challenges facing the area and nation, such as the ethics of agriculture, education, political life, health care and business through conferences, think tanks, town hall meetings and public forum.

As a student-focused, land-grant, research university, we serve our citizens.