Disagreement and Civil Disobedience

Civil disobedience, defined as the passive or active violation of laws as a form of protest, is not protected under the First Amendment. Therefore, civil disobedience is not a protected means of protest on the hill. The University will intervene when laws and KU policies are violated to ensure safety and uphold community expectations. Students and organizations who violate the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities will engage in a disciplinary process following the University’s non-academic misconduct procedures. Behaviors that violate the KU policies include, but are not limited to, vandalism, alcohol and drug consumption, disruption of daily operations, and harassment. 

KU cannot control the content of messages, sometimes leading people to share controversial, radical, disruptive, or offensive ideas. Individuals must not limit a speaker's ability to be heard by an audience. Legally, the University must protect controversial events from disruption and interference. Behavior such as blocking entrances, shouting over a scheduled speaker, or inciting violence of any kind will not be tolerated. Students should utilize the University as a marketplace of ideas to push back on harmful narratives and engage in civil discourse using non-threatening strategies that don’t disrupt daily operations.  

Student Conduct and Community Standards support free expression while acknowledging the potential for harm. We encourage students to reach out to our office to ask questions, share feedback, and report unprotected speech.  

If you disagree with a planned event on campus, consider the following strategies for practicing your right to Free Expression.

  • Publish an article in the school newspapers and send letters to campus officials  

  • Contact people who may be affected by the event to show them your support  

  • Reach out to the group hosting or organizing the event to engage in dialogue and share your concerns  

  • Host a workshop, table, or distribute information about the event or situation and potential for harm  

  • Practice your right to peaceful nondisruptive counter protest 

  • Hand out information to people entering a venue. However, you cannot hinder someone’s ability to enter or exit a venue 

  • Host a teach-in or counter-event at a different location including inviting a speaker or expert on the topic  

Freedom of Expression Acknowledgement: Nothing herein shall be construed in a manner that would result in a conflict with the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution or any other relevant federal or state laws or regulations concerning freedom of speech or expression. This policy incorporates by reference the principles set forth in the KBOR Statement on Free Expression, and shall be construed in a manner consistent therewith, along with KBOR’s policy on the Use of Campus Grounds and Facilities. Nothing herein, or in any other University policy or rule, shall be deemed to discourage students, faculty, or staff from hearing diverse points of view from speakers and programs sponsored by the University or recognized student, faculty, or employee organizations. Further, with regard to any regulation or restriction of protected speech or expression, this and all other University policies or rules are intended to be content-neutral and limited to narrowly drawn time, place and manner restrictions that are consistent with established principles of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, and shall be construed accordingly.