A new national poll reveals that more than 90% of college students believe “words can be violence,” a sentiment that has intensified following the September assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The survey highlights a growing reluctance among students to express controversial opinions and participate in public events on campus.
The poll, conducted by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), surveyed over 2,000 undergraduate students nationwide. The findings point to a significant shift in the campus climate, with many students reporting they feel less safe and less comfortable engaging in open discourse.
Key Takeaways
- A new FIRE poll shows 91% of college students agree to some extent that “words can be violence.”
- Following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a majority of students at Utah Valley University feel less comfortable expressing political views.
- Nearly half of students nationwide (47%) are less comfortable attending controversial campus events.
- The poll also tracked student opinions on allowing speakers with controversial views on topics like abortion, transgender issues, and Black Lives Matter on campus.
A Chilling Effect on Campus Speech
The assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk during a speech at Utah Valley University on September 10 has had a measurable impact on student expression. The new data, collected between October 3 and 31, shows a stark difference in comfort levels, particularly at the affected university.
At Utah Valley University, 68% of students reported feeling less comfortable expressing their views on a controversial political topic in class. A similar number, 64%, felt less comfortable having such discussions in common campus spaces. The chilling effect extends to online interactions, with 65% feeling less comfortable expressing controversial opinions to classmates on social media.
While the impact was most pronounced at Utah Valley, the sentiment was shared by students across the country. Nationally, 41% of undergraduates felt less comfortable sharing controversial views in class discussions, and 39% were less comfortable doing so in common areas.
Safety Concerns Beyond the Classroom
The poll suggests that student anxieties have moved beyond political debate and into everyday campus life. A majority of Utah Valley University students now feel less comfortable with basic activities:
- Attending controversial public events on campus (72%)
- Hosting events that may be considered controversial (72%)
- Attending any public events on campus (65%)
- Simply attending class on campus (54%)
These concerns are mirrored, though to a lesser degree, on a national scale. Nearly half of all students surveyed (47%) said they were less comfortable attending controversial public events since the assassination. Furthermore, 45% expressed less comfort in hosting such events, indicating a potential decline in the diversity of viewpoints presented on college campuses.
The Concept of “Words as Violence”
One of the most striking findings from the report is the widespread acceptance of the idea that speech can be a form of violence. When asked if the statement “words can be violence” described their thoughts, an overwhelming 91% of students expressed some level of agreement.
Breakdown of Agreement:
- Completely: 22%
- Mostly: 25%
- Somewhat: 28%
- Slightly: 15%
This perspective has significant implications for how free speech is perceived and managed on campus. Sean Stevens, Chief Research Advisor for FIRE, expressed concern over this trend in a statement accompanying the report.
“When people start thinking that words can be violence, violence becomes an acceptable response to words. Even after the murder of Charlie Kirk at a speaking event, college students think that someone’s words can be a threat. This is antithetical to a free and open society, where words are the best alternative to political violence.”
The data suggests a fundamental shift in how a new generation understands the boundaries of expression and safety. If words are perceived as harmful acts, it can reframe the debate around what speech is permissible in an academic environment.
Gatekeeping Controversial Speakers
The poll also examined students' willingness to allow speakers with contentious views on campus. The results show a consistent opposition to certain viewpoints, although some figures have slightly decreased since a similar poll in the spring of 2025.
A significant majority of students remain opposed to speakers with views critical of certain groups or ideas. For example, 73% of students oppose allowing a speaker who believes “Black Lives Matter is a hate group,” a slight decrease from 76% in the spring.
Views on Campus Speakers: Fall 2025
The poll asked students if they would oppose allowing speakers with the following views on campus:
- “The police are just as racist as the Ku Klux Klan”: 65% oppose (up from 62%)
- “The Catholic Church is a pedophilic institution”: 62% oppose (unchanged)
- “Abortion should be completely illegal”: 58% oppose (down from 60%)
- “Children should be able to transition without parental consent”: 56% oppose (up from 51%)
- “Transgender people have a mental disorder”: 71% oppose (down from 74%)
Interestingly, opposition to speakers with certain progressive or critical views has increased. The percentage of students who would block a speaker claiming “the police are just as racist as the Ku Klux Klan” rose from 62% to 65%. Similarly, opposition to a speaker who believes “children should be able to transition without parental consent” grew from 51% to 56%.
These figures illustrate the complex and often contradictory landscape of free speech on college campuses. While students are increasingly wary of expressing their own views, they also hold strong opinions about which ideas are too controversial for public debate. The aftermath of a violent political act has seemingly deepened these convictions, creating new challenges for universities navigating the principles of open inquiry and student safety.