It is usually expected for Oswego State’s administration to plan an event and bring in a big-shot speaker to talk to students about how they should think. Yet over the course of four weeks, the administration has created a forum for students to share their own thoughts and opinions.

According to the Higher Education Institute at UCLA, 42 percent of professors identify as “liberal “or “far-left.” This may be the reason why the number of people who share the same ideology peaks between the age of 18 and 29.

As students, it is a privilege to attend college. The level of education, resources and opportunity that comes with the advantage of being at the collegiate level are showcased through the quality of guest speakers and presentations that colleges host.

Yet a majority of the time, the speakers are hired by the school to share experiences and teach students what the school wants them to learn, think things that the school wants them to think and do things the school wants them to do.

This is not necessarily a bad thing, considering presenters are usually brought in to provide information and motivation, but it is nice to see the events in reverse, where students have the floor to speak.

Whether students have a more conservative or liberal view, they are exposed to a supportive environment to share their ideas and personal experience as a part of educating their peers.

Over the course of four weeks, Oswego State has hosted what the administration has termed as “moderated speak outs” to talk about controversial topics. Starting with discussions surrounding the Orlando shootings and Black Lives Matter within the first two Thursdays before progressing to Blue Lives Matter and the concept of political correctness in the coming weeks, it is not a debate, but a forum to listen.

The topics are well chosen and balanced. Not only do they relate to some of the social discussions taking place in society, they represent both sides of the discussion too considering that Black Lives Matter might have opposing views to Blue Lives Matter.

These speak out events support what is the most basic yet important rights of living in this country: freedom of speech. It is important for people to practice that right. Yet, it is up to the students to take advantage of the opportunities that they have while they are still students and to let their voice be heard. There is a reason why the First Amendent is the first.