College campuses historically are a place where different opinions are exchanged openly and freely, thereby fostering intellectual development. The following guidance provides clear expectations for The University of Alabama community regarding free speech, civil discourse, institutional neutrality and political activities.
Freedom of Speech and Civil Discourse
The University of Alabama System is committed to the First Amendment rights of free speech and expression for all members of the System community. As a public institution of higher education and member of the System, UA recognizes individuals’ rights to assembly and free speech granted by the U.S. Constitution. This applies even when comments or actions by UA students or employees do not align with UA’s values. UA’s Facility and Grounds Use Policy is consistent with federal and state law.
As members of an incredibly diverse community of learning and higher education, everyone at UA shares the responsibility to promote civil discourse – a respectful exchange of views intended to promote mutual understanding.
UA encourages healthy and respectful dialogue to advance learning and understanding, and opportunities are available for students, faculty and staff to participate in a robust exchange of ideas and perspectives. Official UA communications and the UA Events Calendar often list opportunities to engage. Consistent with applicable laws and UA’s Facility and Grounds Use Policy, UA may reasonably regulate time, place and manner of expression in a viewpoint-neutral manner to ensure free speech and expression are protected and the activity does not disrupt ordinary activities.
A robust exchange of perspectives will sometimes expose individuals to ideas they may find offensive, and the following choices are available in those circumstances:
- Voice opposition in the spirit of civil discourse: Promote your perspective in a civil way that does not impede others’ rights to free speech and assembly. Impeding others’ free speech (e.g., disrupting a registered student organization event) violates the code of conduct. If planning your own event, follow guidance provided by Student Life for student organizations and/or the Facility and Grounds Use Policy.
- Learn from it: Listening to different opinions – particularly those you find offensive – may be hard to do, but trying to understand how and why people think differently may prepare you for future adversity, make you more resilient and help you think of ways to more effectively champion your own personal values.
- Talk about it and support friends, classmates and colleagues: Discuss with friends, family, colleagues, instructors and/or registered student organizations, and consider constructive ways of responding.
- Walk away: If you find an event too disconcerting, go to a place where you are not exposed to it.
- Take advantage of services offered through the UA Student Counseling Center or the Employee Assistance Program.
- Alert authorities: While police will not stop protected free speech, they can be present and monitor to respond if safety is threatened. UAPD has sworn officers and security cameras across campus to promote everyone’s safety.
Institutional Neutrality
As a public institution comprised of almost 50,000 students, faculty and staff with richly different perspectives, characteristics and life experiences, The University of Alabama maintains an intellectually independent environment welcoming to all people of all backgrounds. To maintain such an environment and to safeguard freedom of speech and expression, the institution must remain neutral on political and social issues that do not directly affect the institution’s core operations as determined by the Board of Trustees. The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees has codified UA’s longstanding practice of institutional neutrality.
While members of the UA community may want the University to voice a position on societal, political or global issues, UA will adhere to institutional neutrality. Institutional neutrality promotes academic freedom and freedom of speech by allowing a wide range of ideas and perspectives to be openly exchanged and respectfully debated by campus community members not speaking on behalf of the institution.
Instead of making statements and taking positions on current events and issues, UA focuses on the day-to-day operations of the institution and promoting civil discourse and shared values of collaboration, integrity, respect and excellence. Campus community members struggling with current events may consider taking advantage of available student or employee counseling services and other resources, and/or making appropriate instructors or supervisors aware if concerns may affect studies or work.
Political Activity at a Public Institution
Because UA is a public entity, employees must avoid the appearance that their private, individual political views and activity represent the institution. UA faculty and staff do not surrender their civil and political rights and responsibilities by virtue of their employment and should feel comfortable fulfilling their civic responsibilities and opportunities as private citizens.
However, UA employees should make clear that any political activity is as a private individual and does not have UA sponsorship or support. UA employees interacting with public officials similarly do not represent the institution unless specific, prior approval is granted, and should comply with ethical and legal requirements that govern such interactions.
Members of the UA community must also comply with laws regarding the use of state resources, time and property for or on behalf of any candidate, campaign or organization, or for any contribution or solicitation of any contribution to a political campaign or organization. UA employees who intend to seek election or re-election to public office at the state, county, or municipal level must first obtain written approval from their supervisor, the UA president, and the chancellor.
