Policies
  1. Policies
  2. Commitment to Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression

Commitment to Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression

Policy Number

Responsible UW-Whitewater Office

Dean of Students

Policy and Procedures

Regent Policy Document(s):

  • UW System Policy: Regent Policy Document 4-21 | Commitment to Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression

Background:

The purpose of this policy is to communicate the Board of Regents’ commitment to academic freedom and freedom of expression, and expectations for those who violate these freedoms. 

  1. Commitment¹

The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System has a longstanding tradition of support for academic freedom, dating back to 1894 and the famous “sifting and winnowing” statement contained in the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents’ Final Report on the Trial of Richard Ely. The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System hereby reiterates its commitment to the principle of academic freedom and affirms its commitment to the principle of freedom of expression. 

Academic freedom includes the freedom to explore all avenues of scholarship, research, and creative expression, and to reach conclusions according to one’s own scholarly discernment. Freedom of expression includes the right to discuss and present scholarly opinions and conclusions on all matters both in and outside the classroom. These freedoms include the right to speak and write as a member of the university community or as a private citizen without institutional discipline or restraint, on scholarly matters, or on matters of public concern. The UW System is committed to these principles and provides all members of the university community the broadest possible latitude to explore ideas and to speak, write, listen, challenge, and learn. Of course, different ideas in the university community will often and quite naturally conflict. But it is not the proper role of the university to attempt to shield individuals from ideas and opinions they, or others, find unwelcome, disagreeable, or even deeply offensive. Although the university greatly values civility, concerns about civility and mutual respect can never be used as justification for closing off discussion of ideas, however offensive or disagreeable those ideas may be to some members within the university community. 

The freedom to debate and discuss the merits of competing ideas does not mean that members of the university community may say whatever they wish, wherever they wish. Consistent with longstanding practice informed by law, institutions within the System may restrict expression that violates the law, that falsely defames a specific individual, that constitutes a genuine threat or discriminatory harassment, that unjustifiably invades substantial privacy or confidentiality interests, or that is otherwise directly incompatible with the functioning of the university. In addition, the institutions may reasonably regulate the time, place, and manner of expression to ensure that it does not disrupt ordinary activities. But these are narrow exceptions to the general principle of freedom of expression, and it is vitally important that these exceptions never be used in a manner that is inconsistent with each institution’s commitment to a completely free and open discussion of ideas. 

These principles carry responsibilities. Academic freedom carries the responsibility for the faithful performance of professional duties and obligations. All members of the university community at each of the institutions in the University of Wisconsin System share in the responsibility for maintaining civility and a climate of mutual respect. Although members of the university community at each institution are free to criticize and contest the views expressed on campus, they may not obstruct or otherwise interfere with the freedom of others, including speakers who are invited to campus, to express views they reject or even loathe. Freedom of expression also carries the obligation to make clear that when speaking on matters of public interest or concern, one is speaking on behalf of oneself, not the institution. 

Each institution in the University of Wisconsin System has a solemn responsibility not only to promote lively and fearless exploration, deliberation, and debate of ideas, but also to protect those freedoms when others attempt to restrict them. Exploration, deliberation, and debate may not be suppressed because the ideas put forth are thought by some or even by most members of the university community (or those outside the community) to be offensive, unwise, immoral, or wrong-headed. It is for the members of the university community, not for the institution itself, to make those judgments for themselves, and to act on those judgments not by seeking to suppress exploration of ideas or expression of speech, but by openly and vigorously contesting the ideas that they oppose. 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 each institution’s educational mission.

Accordingly, the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents expresses its expectation that the principles of academic freedom and freedom of expression will be upheld because today, as previously stated by Regents on September 18, 1894: “Whatever may be the limitations which trammel inquiry elsewhere, we believe the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”

  1. Conduct on University Lands; Student and Employee Discipline

Chapters UWS 17 (Student Nonacademic Misconduct Procedures) and UWS 18 (Conduct on University Lands) of the Wisconsin Administrative Code and other relevant Administrative Code provisions, UW System and UW institution policies, and State statutes govern the conduct of students, employees, and visitors on all real property owned or leased by, or otherwise under the control of the Board of Regents. These Administrative Code provisions, statutes and policies provide UW institutions with authority to address disruptive behavior by students, employees, and visitors. 

Chapter UWS 17.09 describes misconduct that may subject a student to discipline, including but not limited to: disruption of university-authorized activities; dangerous conduct; unauthorized use of or damage to property; violation of criminal law; serious and repeated violations of municipal law; violation of university rules; and violation of Chapter UWS 18. Chapter UWS 17.10(1) contains a range of disciplinary sanctions for students under the jurisdiction of the institution who engage in violent or other disorderly conduct that materially and substantially disrupts the free expression of others. Chapter UWS 18 describes misconduct that may subject a student or an employee to discipline, and that may subject students, employees, and campus visitors to municipal fines or criminal sanctions, including but not limited to Chapter UWS 18.10 (offenses against public safety), Chapter UWS 18.07 (use of campus facilities), and Chapter UWS 18.11 (offenses against public peace and order). Chapter UWS 18.13 describes forfeiture penalties for violation of certain sections of Chapter UWS 18.

Students charged with misconduct by the University shall be provided the procedural protections in Chapter UWS 17 and parallel UW institution policies. Those protections include, but are not limited to: the right to a written report detailing the alleged misconduct, describing all information available to the university regarding the alleged misconduct, and specifying the sanction sought; the right to a hearing before an impartial hearing examiner or hearing committee; the right to question adverse witnesses; the right to present information and witnesses; the right to be heard; the right to be accompanied by an advisor who may be an attorney; and the right to an appeal.

A formal investigation and disciplinary hearing is required the second time a formal complaint alleges a student has engaged in violent or other disorderly misconduct that materially and substantially disrupted the free expression of others. Any student who has twice been found responsible for misconduct that materially and substantially disrupted the free expression of others at any time during the student’s enrollment shall be suspended for a minimum of one semester. Any student who has thrice been found responsible for misconduct that materially and substantially disrupted the free expression of others at any time during the student’s enrollment shall be expelled. This paragraph shall be effective upon amendment of Chapter UWS 17 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code under Chapter 227 of the Wisconsin Statutes to include a parallel provision. The report regarding repeat violators described in Section 5 of this policy will not be required after the effective date of the amendment to Chapter UWS 17.

Employees charged with misconduct described in Chapter UWS 18 and UW institution policies governing employee conduct shall be provided the procedural protections in applicable Wisconsin Administrative Code sections and UW institution policies. 

  1. Freedom of Expression

Students and employees have the freedom to discuss any problem that presents itself, as the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and Article I of the Wisconsin Constitution permit. Students and employees shall be permitted to assemble and engage in spontaneous expressive activity as long as such activity does not materially and substantially disrupt the functioning of an institution.

Protests and demonstrations that materially and substantially disrupt the rights of others to engage in or listen to expressive activity shall not be permitted and shall be subject to sanction. This policy shall not prohibit administrators, faculty, or other instructors from maintaining order. Access to UW institutions for purposes of free speech and expression shall occur within the limits of reasonable viewpoint-neutral and content-neutral restrictions on time, place, and manner of expression and the provisions of Chapter UWS 21 (Use of University Facilities) of the Wisconsin Administrative Code 

  1. Restriction of Expression

UW institutions may restrict expressive activity not protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution or Article I of the Wisconsin Constitution, including any of the following:

  1. Violations of state or federal law.
  2. Discriminatory harassment.
  3. Sexual harassment.
  4. True threats.
  5. An unjustifiable invasion of privacy or confidentiality.
  6. An action that materially and substantially disrupts the function of an institution.
  7. A violation of a reasonable time, place, and manner restriction on expressive activities.

Nothing in this policy shall be construed to prevent institutions from regulating speech or activity as allowed by law.

  1. Accountability

Annual Report: The Wisconsin Constitution recognizes in Article I, Section 3, that “Every person may freely speak, write, and publish his sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that right,” and in Article I, Section 4, that the “[R]ight of the people peaceably to assemble, to consult for the common good, and to petition the government, or any department thereof, shall never be abridged.” The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides parallel protection for these rights. Upholding the constitutional rights of persons who have differing viewpoints can be challenging within the academy and elsewhere.

The UW System shall report annually to the Board of Regents regarding the efforts of its institutions to uphold the principles expressed in this policy and to fulfill the Board’s Commitment to Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression. The UW System’s report shall describe any affirmative steps its institutions have taken in furtherance of the Board’s Commitment, as well as any material barriers to these freedoms within the System and steps being taken to remove those barriers. The report also shall describe any formal complaints of violations of these freedoms during the reporting period and the administrative response to those complaints, including any disciplinary proceedings involving students or employees. The report shall comply with all federal and state law privacy protections for students and employees.

Report Regarding Repeat Violators: Until the proposed Chapter 227 rulemaking described in section 2 of this policy is completed, if a UW institution does not suspend or expel a student who has been found responsible through the student disciplinary process on two or more occasions of materially and substantially disrupting the expressive rights of others at any time during the student’s enrollment, the UW institution’s chancellor shall report to the Board of Regents regarding the disciplinary process and decision. The report shall comply with all federal and state law privacy protections for students.

  1. Neutrality

Each UW institution shall not take action, as an institution, in such a way as to require students or employees to express a particular view on a public policy issue.

  1. New Student Orientation

Each UW institution shall include in orientation for freshman and transfer student’s information regarding freedom of expression consistent with this policy. 

  1. Notice

Each UW institution annually shall provide notice to all enrolled students and employees informing them of this policy. 

  1. Inconsistent Policies

This policy supersedes and nullifies any provisions in the policies of a UW institution that improperly restrict speech at that institution and are, therefore, inconsistent with the policy. Each UW institution shall remove or revise any such provisions in its policies to ensure compatibility with this Board policy.

Related Documents

¹ Sources: Richard Ely Trial Committee Final Report, September 18, 1894, University of Wisconsin Board of Regents; Report of the Committee on Freedom of Expression at the University of Chicago; Johns Hopkins University Statement on Academic Freedom; Princeton University Statement on Freedom of Expression; Purdue University Commitment to Freedom of Expression

Violators:

Violations will be handled like other work rule or policy violations.

Related Policies

Please reference information listed within the policy.

Policy History

Res. 10600, adopted 12/15/2015; Res. 10906, adopted 07/07/2017; Res. 10952, adopted 10/06/2017, created Regent Policy Document 4-21.

First approved: 12/15/2015
Revised & approved:     07/07/2017
Revised & approved:     10/06/2017
Revised & approved:     09/2022
Revised & approved:     07/25/2023
Next review due:           07/25/2028


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