Suffolk Law Summer 2019 Student Handbook

SUFFOLK UNIVERSITY PRINCIPLES AND POLICIES REGARDING FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION 1

Suffolk University is committed to free and open inquiry in all matters and extends to the University 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 University and compliance with applicable laws, Suffolk University fully respects and supports freedom of expression for all members of the University. The University’s commitment to freedom of expression means that ideas presented will often and quite naturally conflict. It is not the proper role of the University to shield individuals from ideas and opinions that are considered unwelcome, disagreeable, or even deeply offensive. Community members should openly and vigorously contest the ideas that they oppose rather than seek to suppress them. Indeed, fostering the ability of members of the University community to engage in such debate and deliberation in an effective and responsible manner is an essential part of the University’s educational mission. As a corollary to the University’s commitment to protect and promote free expression, members of the University community must also act in ways that are consistent with the principle of free expression. Although members of the University community are free to criticize and contest ideas, and to criticize and contest speakers who are invited to campus, they may not obstruct or otherwise interfere with the freedom of others to express views they reject or even loathe. To this end, the University has a 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. Further, it is an expectation that all members of the University community and all speakers at Suffolk will strive to act consistent with the principles of civil discourse. 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. For example, the University may prohibit expression that defames a specific individual; constitutes an unlawful threat or unlawful harassment; unjustifiably invades substantial privacy or confidentiality interests; violates the law, such as by using University resources to participate in political campaign activity; or is otherwise incompatible with the University’s functioning, operations, or mission. A number of University policies address these and related issues, such as the University’s Title IX policy; the University Community Standards; the Law School Policies, Procedures, Rules and Regulations; employee policies and handbooks, and the University Faculty Handbook. In addition, the University may reasonably regulate the time, place and manner of expression to ensure that it does not disrupt the ordinary activities of the University.

Subject to the foregoing principles, Suffolk University has adopted the following additional policies and procedures that have some relationship to freedom of expression on campus.

1 This policy has been adapted with modifications from a similar policy at Princeton University, which itself was adapted from a similar statement at the University of Chicago.

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