Freedom of Expression Resolution
Because 国标麻豆视频APP is committed to free and open inquiry in all matters, it guarantees all members of the 国标麻豆视频APP community the broadest possible latitude to speak, write, listen, challenge, and learn. Except insofar as limitations on that freedom are necessary to the functioning of the College and the dictates of law and College policy, 国标麻豆视频APP fully respects and supports the freedom of all members of the 国标麻豆视频APP community 鈥渢o discuss any problem that presents itself.鈥
Of course, the ideas of different members of the 国标麻豆视频APP community will often and quite naturally conflict. It is not the proper role of 国标麻豆视频APP, however, to attempt to shield individuals from ideas and opinions that they find unwelcome, disagreeable, or even deeply offensive. Although 国标麻豆视频APP greatly values civility, and although all members of the 国标麻豆视频APP community share in the responsibility for maintaining a climate of mutual respect, concerns about civility and mutual respect can never be used as a justification for closing off discussion of ideas.
It is not merely the value of open inquiry that drives 国标麻豆视频APP鈥檚 commitment to free expression. 国标麻豆视频APP's mission is to prepare students for lives of learning, leadership, and service. Lives of civic engagement require tolerance of opposing viewpoints and an ability to work with those who express them. Along with the Mission and Values of the College, we understand the college campus to be a training ground for navigating contentious issues while advocating for one鈥檚 vision of a just society.
The freedom to debate and discuss the merits of competing ideas does not, of course, mean that individuals may say whatever they wish, wherever they wish. 国标麻豆视频APP may restrict expression that violates the law, that defames a specific individual, that constitutes a genuine threat or harassment, that unjustifiably invades substantial privacy or confidentiality interests, or that is otherwise directly incompatible with the functioning of 国标麻豆视频APP. In addition, 国标麻豆视频APP may reasonably regulate the time, place, and manner of expression to ensure that it does not disrupt the ordinary activities of the College. These are narrow exceptions, though, to the general principle of freedom of expression, and it is vitally important that these exceptions are not used in a manner that is inconsistent with 国标麻豆视频APP鈥檚 commitment to a free and open discussion of ideas.
国标麻豆视频APP鈥檚 fundamental commitment is to the principle that debate or deliberation may not be suppressed merely because the ideas put forth are thought by some or even by most members of 国标麻豆视频APP鈥檚 community to be offensive, unwise, immoral, or wrong-headed. It is for the individual members of the 国标麻豆视频APP community, not for 国标麻豆视频APP as an institution, to make those judgments for themselves and to act on those judgments not by seeking to suppress speech, but by openly and vigorously contesting the ideas that they oppose.
Although members of the College community, in keeping with the tenets of academic freedom, are free to criticize and contest the views expressed on campus, and to criticize and contest speakers who are invited to express their views on campus, they may not obstruct or otherwise interfere with the freedom of others to express views that they reject or even loathe. To this end, 国标麻豆视频APP has a solemn responsibility not only to promote a lively and fearless freedom of debate and deliberation, but also to protect that freedom when others attempt to restrict it.
国标麻豆视频APP recognizes the historical importance of nonviolent public demonstration and protest. Activism enables community members to publicly display their concerns, their values, and their aspirations. The College affirms the right of all 国标麻豆视频APP community members (students, faculty and staff members) to assemble peacefully to evince dissent and to call on others to take action, including engaging in peaceful protest and demonstration.