Dudley responds to Matt Walsh Petition
President upholds university commitments to freedom of expression and diversity

[Update: Matt Walsh has decided to reschedule his visit to Washington and Lee University on March 30, 2023, following threats and security concerns in Nashville, Tennessee. The new date for Walsh’s speech has not yet been determined.]

William Dudley, president of Washington and Lee University, responded on Tuesday to recent efforts to keep Matt Walsh from coming to campus on Thursday, March 30, 2023. 

As of March 28, a law-school petition asking “that the university prevent Matt Walsh from speaking on our campus” had 622 student, faculty, staff, and alumni signatures. No members of the university administration have signed it.

In a statement sent to protest leaders and posted online, Dudley wrote “to reiterate both the university’s position on speakers and my steadfast support of our LGBTQ+ community.”

He invoked the university’s Statement of Commitment to Diversity, which he said, “is manifest in our programming that explores, promotes, and celebrates the increasingly diverse backgrounds of our students, faculty and staff.”

He also invoked the university’s “commitment to freedom of expression,” noting that “we permit all recognized student organizations to invite speakers of their choosing to campus.” The university, he continued, “does not approve or reject events based on content, and the university does not endorse the views of any invited speaker.”

“[A]s an academic institution,” he said, “our purpose is to help our students learn to examine, evaluate, and express points of view, so that they may become lifelong learners, responsible leaders, and engaged citizens.”

After noting several ways one may voice opposition — such as petitions and alternative programming — he clarified that protesting may “not jeopardize the safety of the community, damage property, or prohibit speakers from delivering remarks and engaging with those who choose to attend.”

“The College Republicans’ planned event this week lays bare deep ideological divides.” Dudley continued, “I hope our community will use this moment as an occasion to reflect upon what it means to freely exchange, discuss, and debate ideas, and upon the kinds of events and speakers that are most conducive to stimulating thoughtful, intellectual conversations.”

According to The Ring-tum Phi, “Dudley donated $1,000 to a fundraiser organized by OutLaw, the affinity group for queer law students.”

The Phi also reports that protest leaders have asked the university to “match a $20,000 donation,” whose proceeds will go directly to the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center.

Donations can be made here to The Spectator’s Jefferson Davis Futch III Speaker Forum, which has helped sponsor Walsh’s visit. Future speakers and events will be determined following community feedback for Thursday’s event.

Tickets can be reserved on TicketSpice. For those unable to reserve a ticket, the event will be livestreamed here. An on-campus overflow will be set up in Science Overflow 214.