Guidelines for Free Expression on the Hill

As expressed in the Kansas Board of Regent’s (KBOR) Statement on Free Expression, a central purpose of higher education is to create an environment for evaluating divergent, contradictory, and innovative thought. The University of Kansas (KU) supports students' right to free expression. Under the United States and Kansas Constitutions, the discussion and expression of all views are permitted within the University. Students have the right to protest, assemble, openly debate, and dissent subject only to content-neutral policy and law requirements for the maintenance of order and assurance of safety. Students and organizations who violate KU policy will engage in a disciplinary process following the University’s non-academic misconduct procedures. Student Conduct and Community Standards encourages students to familiarize themselves with University policies to ensure compliance and participant safety.

KBOR Statement on Free Expression

Non-Academic Misconduct Procedures

Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities

Students’ Rights and Expectations

The right to orderly and peaceful protest within the University must be preserved. KU members are expected to uphold the values of community, integrity, responsibility, and respect as stated in the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities. Through upholding these values, students practice empathetic speaking, thoughtful listening, and lively dissent.

As a KU student, you are guaranteed rights. You can:

  1. Engage in free inquiry, expression, and assembly.
  2. Express your views in all forms of communication, including distributing written material.
  3. Support any cause through orderly and peaceful demonstrations in public areas.
  4. Invite and listen to speakers of your choosing.
  5. Protest the presence of any speaker, organization, government agency, or educational entity.
  6. Be free from harassment and discrimination as outlined in the Sexual Harassment Policy, the Racial and Ethnic Harassment Policy, and the Discrimination Complaint Resolution Process.

As a KU student, you have a high level of responsibility to self, to others, and the community. You cannot: 

  1. Disrupt University operations, including blocking entrances or exits to campus spaces.
  2. Take, possess, or damage University property or property belonging to others.
  3. Interfere with others’ ability to express their opinions and learn about topics of their choosing.
  4. Cause harm to others, engage in threatening behaviors, or invite violence in any way.
  5. Enter restricted spaces without proper consent.

Subject to the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) and University policy requirements, KU retains the ability to:

  1. Assure the safety of individuals.
  2. Protect property.
  3. Ensure the continuation of the University functions including maintenance, class facilitation, and other processes.
  4. Maintain order by regulating speech-related activities and expressive conduct through content-neutral policies.
  5. Address incidents of harassment, discrimination, bullying and unprotected speech.

 

Student organizations are assured the same rights and held to the same behavior expectations as students.  For more information, refer to the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities or contact SCCS at kusccs@ku.edu.

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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.