In an interview, Dr. Christ, 73, indicated that she would confront that question head-on.

She announced a “free speech year” to include, among other events, a series of debates titled “Point Counterpoint” that would feature speakers with sharply divergent views.

“What we’re trying to do is really give the community as many different kinds of opportunities to think carefully about free speech,” she said.

Berkeley has been shadowed by doubts over its commitment to freedom of expression since February, when a planned speech on campus by the far right provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos was canceled in the wake of violent protests.

In the months that followed, more debates flared over invited speakers — including the conservative writers Ann Coulter and Ben Shapiro.

Dr. Christ, a scholar of Victorian literature and former president of Smith College, took over for the former Berkeley chancellor, Nicholas B. Dirks, in July.