Carnegie Mellon is investigating professor Uju Anya over her social media posts calling the anniversary of Charlie Kirk’s assassination “Kirkmas” and telling a critic, “Die first, white man.” People are free to take offense to Anya's comments. But @CarnegieMellon’s response points to a much bigger problem. Its departmental policy “does not tolerate harassment, discrimination or disrespect in any form,” including some off-campus communications. “Disrespect in any form” is an insane standard for a university. Disagreement, criticism, protest, satire, and even harsh language can all be labeled “disrespectful.” None of that is misconduct. A policy this broad gives administrators a blank check to investigate almost anything controversial. CMU has also called Anya’s posts “hostile and threatening,” even though campus police say they have identified no credible threat to campus. Offensive speech does not become a threat just because a university labels it “threatening,” and CMU cannot evade its free speech promises that way. CMU promises that “all ideas may be expressed freely,” including “unpopular or challenging opinions.” If this investigation concerns nothing more than “disrespectful” speech, CMU must end it and fix its departmental policy.