In this episode of Radio Free Campus, co-hosts Steve McGuire and Justin Garrison discuss the Trump administration's Compact for Excellence in Higher Education. Steve also talks about diversity of thought and campus freedom with Josh Dunn, the director of the Institute of American Civics at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Last but never least, Steve and Justin announce their latest "Hero of the People" and "Apparatchik of the Month" awards.

Website: https://www.goacta.org/

Campus Freedom Initiative™: https://www.goacta.org/campus-freedom-initiative/

ACTA Statements on the Compact:

https://www.goacta.org/2025/10/acta-proposes-an-honorable-compact/

https://www.goacta.org/2025/10/acta-publica-conflicts-in-the-compact/

Steve McGuire: https://www.goacta.org/staff/steven-mcguire

Justin Garrison: https://www.goacta.org/staff/justin-garrison/

In this episode of Radio Free Campus, co-hosts Steve McGuire and Justin Garrison discuss the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk and what his murder might mean for the future of free expression in higher education. They interview ACTA President and CEO Michael Poliakoff about the perils we face and how we can all help de-escalate the tensions roiling America. Steve and Justin introduce ACTA's new Virginia Report Card, a systematic analysis of policies and survey data on the free speech and intellectual diversity climates at George Mason University, James Madison University, the University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Virginia Tech. You don't want to miss these results! They also preview ACTA's upcoming 30th anniversary celebration and announce their latest "Hero of the People" and "Apparatchik of the Month" awards.

Radio Free Campus is offered by the Campus Freedom Initiative™ at the American Council of Trustees and Alumni. Email us at radiofreecampus@goacta.org!

ACTA's 30th Anniversary: https://www.goacta.org/event/anniversary/

Virginia Report Card: https://www.goacta.org/campus-freedom-initiative/va-report-card/

Michael and Steve's Statement on the Assassination of Charlie Kirk: https://www.goacta.org/2025/09/on-the-assassination-of-charlie-kirk/

Website: https://www.goacta.org/

Campus Freedom Initiative™: https://www.goacta.org/campus-freedom-initiative/

Steve McGuire: https://www.goacta.org/staff/steven-mcguire

Justin Garrison: https://www.goacta.org/staff/justin-garrison/

Michael Poliakoff: https://www.goacta.org/staff/michael-b-poliakoff

In this episode of Radio Free Campus, co-hosts Steve McGuire and Justin Garrison talk with MIT philosopher Alex Byrne about efforts to cancel him for thinking differently about gender and sexuality—and then having the audacity to lend his expertise to the Department of Health and Human Services! Also, they discuss Columbia's settlement with the Trump administration, Attorney General Pam Bondi's recent memo on DEI, and a tale of two university presidents in Virginia. Finally, RFC announces its latest "Hero of the People" and "Apparatchik of the Month" awards.

Radio Free Campus is offered by the Campus Freedom Initiative™ at the American Council of Trustees and Alumni.