Mark Zimmerman

Promoting homeownership. Defending private property and our other inalienable rights and freedoms, especially free speech. The views expressed here are mine.

[UNC AFSA @UNCAFSA]

Many thanks to Senior Political Correspondent @ByronYork who enlightened our Annual Dinner audience last night with insights into the events of the day. This is our 5th Anniversary and we stay as involved and relevant as ever focused on our mission to promote and defend free speech, academic freedom, and viewpoint diversity at UNC-Chapel Hill.

[UNC AFSA @UNCAFSA]

UNC retreats from statement that violated its free speech and institutional neutrality policies

Earlier this week, UNC AFSA condemned a statement released last week by Senior Vice President James Orr regarding several campus April Fools communications. (Read our statement here.) We joined other free speech supporting organizations, most notably the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (@TheFIREorg ), in calling for the University to retract Orr’s statement and reaffirm its support for student free expression.

Yesterday, UNC did just that.

In an update to the student affairs website, the University declared its commitment “to upholding the First Amendment rights of our students and student groups to engage in free expression.” It confirmed that it “is not investigating any student or student group” and explained that it “in no way intended to chill free speech on our campus.” The university then reiterated that “We support the First Amendment rights of all students and student groups to exercise those rights unburdened by the University. As a public university, we will both uphold the core principle of free speech and care for our community at the same time.”

The University now needs to post its update to its social media platforms and email the update to the University listserv to ensure all students and faculty receive the message. The original statement carried the full weight and visibility of the administration. A quiet website update will do little to mitigate the chilling effect the University created.

Nonetheless, we applaud the administration for heeding the calls for retraction. This is a good first step in reestablishing an environment in which students feel free to express their opinions.

We would have liked to see the University go on to apologize to the students whose speech they had castigated. In the wake of the University’s original statement, those students reportedly have received multiple death threats and may be facing career repercussions. There is a lesson there: when emotions run high about controversial subjects, the administration’s role is to act as a calming influence. It certainly should not inflame the situation.

Thank you to Chancellor Roberts and others who are working to realign the University with its model policies protecting the free speech of students and faculty and restraining the administration from inserting itself into the campus debate. We hope this mistake will be addressed with concrete steps to avoid a recurrence.

UNC AFSA’s mission is straightforward: To promote and defend free speech, academic freedom, and viewpoint diversity at UNC-Chapel Hill. We will continue to be vigilant in pursuing those principles.

[Mark Zimmerman @markrzim]

@ishapiro Nice summary and nice shirt.

[Mark Zimmerman @markrzim]

@UNCCoalition This policy has been rescinded. https://t.co/enAwQfeg0K

[Mark Zimmerman @markrzim]

Happy 250th anniversary of Adam Smith's monumental Wealth of Nations. As relevant today as it was then.

[Mark Zimmerman @markrzim]

@elonmusk When will there be a grokipedia app?

[UNC AFSA @UNCAFSA]

In case you missed John Tomasi of @HdxAcademy and Jay Greene of @Heritage debate whether federal pressure is needed to reform universities, don't fret. You can watch it here. Such a lively discussion that's sure to make you think. Thanks to all. https://t.co/nTtyMoIccm

[UNC AFSA @UNCAFSA]

On today's date in 1789, North Carolina became one of the last states to ratify the US Constitution. The delay was due to the state's insistence that the constitution be amended to include a Bill of Rights. That refusal prompted Congress to pass the first ten amendments and Carolina signed on.

[Mark Zimmerman @markrzim]

@BillAckman @ZohranKMamdani The filtering effect of luxury apartments actually puts downward pressure on pricing of lower cost units.

[Mark Zimmerman @markrzim]

@christopherrufo You are correct, This is a supply problem. Zoning strangles the market response to demand. Deregulation would allow the private sector to more affordably build the units needed. Meanwhile, don't trample the private property rights of owners with buyer restrictions.

[UNC AFSA @UNCAFSA]

We're excited about our next event on Nov 4. Jay Greene from Heritage and John Tomasi from Heterodox debate whether university reform needs federal pressure or not. If you're near Chapel Hill, join us. @jaypgreene @Heritage @HdxAcademy @afsaalumni @freespeechreset Register at https://t.co/KwMmcQ7VnV

[Mark Zimmerman @markrzim]

My alma mater continues to devalue its reputation.

[Craig Murphy @CraigMurphy8881]

Meanwhile, at Princeton:

[UNC AFSA @UNCAFSA]

A tale of two campuses. Ilya just spoke at our event at UNC in Chapel Hill where the audience was attentive, respectful and full of questions for him after he delivered his remarks. Tarheel tolerance and civil discourse prevailed. The irony is his message needs to be heard most by those who don't want to give him the stage.

[Harrington Shaw @harringtondshaw]

Our team at @UNCAFSA continues to do great work on campus at @UNC. Kudos to Mark Zimmerman (@markrzim) and Hunter Klosty, who are both quoted in the @dailytarheel piece below on their work to bring heterodox perspectives to Chapel Hill!

[Marty Kotis @mkotis]

In October 2024, I attended a UNC Chapel Hill @UNC event featuring Charlie Kirk @charliekirk11 and @VivekGRamaswamy, alongside then-Trustee (now State Auditor) Dave Boliek @NCAuditorBoliek and NC Senator Amy Galey @amyscottgaley. The program was organized by the @TPUSA_UNC Turning Point @TPUSA USA UNC Chapel Hill student chapter.

What struck me most was the tone. Charlie set the ground rules before Q&A, noting that while the audience was “a center-right, predominantly conservative” crowd, all voices would be heard and respected.

He said:
“Do not interrupt, do not boo. If somebody says something you disagree with, please show respect to people that might have different views.”

That call for civility was honored throughout the evening. Students asked tough and often controversial questions — about housing affordability, higher-ed costs, the Electoral College, free speech, foreign policy, immigration, even Trump University and AIPAC. Both speakers answered in real time. It was not a monologue; it was a dialogue.

Charlie reminded the audience of the American system:
“We’re first and foremost a collection of states. The states created the federal government… and today seven very diverse states determine the future of America, not just LA and New York.”

On morals and family life, he was clear:
“Children are a blessing from the Lord. Not an inconvenience.”

Vivek tied the night back to civic life in a way that resonates with UNC’s School of Civic Life and Leadership:
“If we’re going to require immigrants to pass a civics test and swear an oath of allegiance, then it makes sense for every high school senior to be able to pass the same civics test… replacing DEI indoctrination with actual civic education.”

He added:
“The least we could do is demand some skin in the game — that we know the basics about our country before somebody graduates from high school.”

The event reflected something deeper: the founding of the United States itself, forged through vigorous debate, moral conviction, and a shared commitment to civic principles. Our students showed that they can disagree, push back, and challenge ideas without losing their composure or the dignity of the conversation.

Whatever one’s politics, Charlie Kirk’s emphasis on courage, respect, and the American promise is worth carrying forward. UNC should always be a place where ideas are debated vigorously but respectfully, and where civic knowledge is treated as essential to leadership.

[FIRE @TheFIREorg]

Student acceptance of violence to silence speakers is at a record high.

In 2020, 1 in 5 students said violence was acceptable to stop a speaker. In 2025, that number is 1 in 3.

That’s a 79% increase in just five years. And it’s chilling.

[Ari Fleischer @AriFleischer]

In memory of Charlie, I urge every major American university, especially the Ivy League and New England’s small liberal arts colleges, to invite conservative speakers to their campuses and to welcome them. Academia cannot be a no go zone for conservatives. Charlie would welcome this.

It will help heal the country if the liberal left that dominates colleges actively reaches out and peacefully welcomes the right.

[Mark Zimmerman @markrzim]

Charlie Kirk was an apostle for what makes America great. He is now a martyr.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.

May he rest in peace. Amen.

[Steve McGuire @sfmcguire79]

The third line below is the percentage of college students who won’t rule out violence as an acceptable means to stop someone from speaking.

A third of students. That’s insane.