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Lively intellectual conversations are as commonplace as comments about the weather. As chancellor, it’s important that I help cultivate a campus community in which everyone has a voice, the freedom to exercise their rights and duties to speak out against injustice and inequity, and an opportunity to learn from one another without insult or intimidation.
Chancellor Andrew D. Martin, from “Critical thinking, free speech, and civil discourse”
Statement of principle regarding freedom of expression
The Faculty Senate Council adopted the following statement in 2016.
This statement is substantially similar to the 2014 Chicago Principles:
Washington University in St. Louis begins its mission statement by asserting that the institution’s primary aims are “to discover and disseminate knowledge, and protect the freedom of inquiry through research, teaching and learning.” A commitment to the open exchange of ideas and information is fundamental to achieving these goals. Consequently, the university affirms its unwavering commitment to freedom of expression and the free exchange of ideas.
WashU policies
Plan an event
Identify who is eligible to host an event
Recognized student organizations and WashU departments may reserve designated spaces to host events on campus.
Notify Event Management
Coordinate with Event Management and additional offices as needed.
Reserve space on your campus
Space reservations can be made through Event Management or Medical Campus Shared Space Reservations.
Know WashU policies
Review WashU policies regarding freedom of expression.
Expectations and obligations
Demonstrations and expressive activities and events on the university campus are subject to reasonable restrictions regarding time, place, and manner, applied without discrimination toward the content of the viewpoints being expressed. Participants do not have the right to engage in unlawful activity, activity that endangers or imminently threatens to endanger any member of the university community or any of the university’s physical facilities, or any activity that disrupts or obstructs the functions of the university or imminently threatens such disruption or obstruction.
The following are general guidelines for what is permitted and not permitted when planning activities on WashU property:
Allowed
Peaceful demonstrations
Demonstrations and rigorous debate are permitted and encouraged. WashU has implemented viewpoint-neutral restrictions on the time, place, and manner of demonstrations and other expressive activities to safeguard such expressive activities, protect the health and safety of our community members, and ensure that university events, operations, and facilities continue in furtherance of our mission.
Counter-demonstrations
Counter-demonstrations are also permitted and encouraged. WashU may impose additional reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions, including separating and relocating groups of demonstrators.
Symbolic acts
Symbolic acts of expression (e.g., marching, picketing, wearing armbands) are permitted in accordance with applicable university policies.
Silent expression and displays
Silent expression and temporary displays such as a flyer, poster, installation, or other material are permitted and may be affixed to university property in specified areas as long as they follow applicable university policies such as the Danforth Campus Facilities Access Policy and the Demonstrations and Disruptions Policy.
Not allowed
Threats of violence or incitement of unlawful activity
Demonstrations or expressive activities that constitute a genuine threat of violence or that incite others to engage in imminent unlawful action are not permitted.
Disruption of classes or speakers
Demonstrations and other expressive activities are not permitted to disrupt classroom or teaching activities. Furthermore, such demonstrations or expressive activities may not prevent or disrupt a speaker from giving a speech and/or impede the audience’s ability to see and to hear a speaker.
Disruption of university operations
Disruption of university operations such as classes, research, learning, meetings, events, emergency services, or other business functions and activities of the university is not permitted.
Blocking access
Impeding movement around the university campus is not permitted, including blocking entrance to or exit from any university building or facility, or any university-maintained roadway or pathway, unless authorized by a university official.
Harassment
Demonstrations or expressive activities that harass or discriminate against others in violation of the university’s Discrimination and Harassment Policy are not permitted.
Property damage
Defacing or otherwise damaging or threatening to damage university property or the property of others is not permitted.
Violation of laws
Violation of federal, state, or local laws, including but not limited to accessing restricted areas without valid authorization or refusing to leave restricted areas if instructed, is not permitted.
Nonaffiliated individuals participating in demonstrations
There are numerous areas on the Danforth and Medical campuses at WashU that are open to the public. All visitors are expected to comply with all campus policies and appropriate local laws and ordinances. Nonaffiliated individuals may not organize demonstrations on campus but may participate if (a) the event is organized and registered by WashU students, faculty, or staff and (b) the approved event is not limited to WashU community members.
Resources
Contacts by office
For guidance, please contact the appropriate office.
Danforth Campus Event Management
Contact Event Management to reserve space on the Danforth Campus or with questions about use of university facilities.
Medical Campus Shared Space Reservations and Services
Contact Shared Space Reservations and Services to reserve space on the Medical Campus.
Student Conduct
Contact the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards with questions regarding the Student Conduct Code or to initiate a complaint against a student alleging a violation of the Student Conduct Code.
Bias Report and Support System
Contact the Bias Report and Support System (BRSS) if you wish to submit information to the university about specific instances of bias you have experienced or witnessed involving students within our campus community.
Institutional Equity
Contact the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) with questions regarding the Discrimination and Harassment Policy or to file a formal complaint under the Discrimination and Harassment Policy.
WashU Police Department
At the Danforth Campus, contact the WashU Police Department to discuss safety and security plans for your event or if you wish to report a crime.
WashU Medicine Protective Services
At the Medical Campus, contact WashU Medicine Protective Services to discuss safety and security plans for your event or if you wish to report a crime.
WashU Dean of Students
Contact the WashU dean of students with questions regarding the Demonstrations and Disruptions Policy or to seek assistance in advance of an event from the demonstrations and disruptions team.
Contact
- 314-935-4526
- deanofstudents@wustl.edu