Bucknell University's Commitment to Free Expression

Faculty authority to search for truth, to criticize existing beliefs and institutions, to disseminate ideas within each individual area of competence, and to support a controversial idea or a colleague whose responsible pursuit of truth runs against the tide of established or convenient opinion or belief is protected at Bucknell as set forth in the Faculty Handbook. Bucknell adopts the principle that the University exists as "a marketplace of ideas, and cannot fulfill its purpose of transmitting, evaluating and extending knowledge if it requires conformity with the orthodoxy of content and method."

Any faculty or staff member who thinks that their right to academic freedom has been abridged may bring the issue before the appropriate faculty committee.

The Board of Trustees has adopted the statement of the American Association of University Professors which recognizes that members of the faculty are citizens with the right to speak and write as citizens free from institutional censorship or discipline. When speaking as a private citizen faculty must still remember that the public may judge their profession and Bucknell by their statements and therefore even when speaking as private citizens, members of the faculty are expected to be accurate, to exercise appropriate restraint, to show respect for the opinion of others and indicate that they are not speaking on behalf of Bucknell.

Bucknell recognizes that "teachers and students must always remain free to inquire, to study and to evaluate, to gain new maturity and understanding; otherwise our civilization will stagnate and die" ( AAUP Recommended Institutional Regulations on Academic Freedom and Tenure, adopted by Bucknell's Board of Trustees). Bucknell faculty "encourage students to engage freely with course content, recognizing that students should be evaluated on the merits of their arguments and performance, and not on their opinions or conduct in matters irrelevant to the academic mission of the University" (Bucknell Faculty Handbook). Students are also encouraged to express reasoned opinions that differ from faculty or other students recognizing that they remain responsible for learning the course content of any course in which they are enrolled — even if they object to the content. The University provides a grade appeal process for students who do not believe that their final grade is an appropriate reflection of their performance.

As citizens and members of the Bucknell community, students, faculty and staff enjoy the freedoms of expression, assembly and association, subject to institutional limits that protect the regular and orderly operation of the campus. Bucknell recognizes the freedom among members of the community — and specifically students — to "examine and discuss all questions of interest to them," to express opinions publicly and privately and to support causes by orderly means (AAUP Joint Statement on Rights and Freedoms of Students).

Within the limits of its not-for-profit status, Bucknell provides an academic environment which encourages free expression and civic discourse in order to enrich and invigorate the educational experience for all members of the campus community. Administrative officers, faculty, students and staff of the University are free to express their individual and collective political viewpoints provided they understand and make clear that they are not speaking for, or in the name of, Bucknell University.

The responsibility to secure and respect general conditions to protect the freedom of expression on campus is shared by all members of the University community. Bucknell has developed certain policies and procedures to protect and safeguard free expression while also protecting the regular and orderly operation of campus. (See section below.)

Consistent with the University's mission to educate students “to be critical thinkers in an academic and residential environment that develops intellectual maturity, personal conviction and strength of character, informed by a deep understanding of different cultures and diverse perspectives,” Bucknell supports the rights of students and student organizations to examine and discuss all questions of interest to them, and to support causes by orderly means that do not disrupt the regular and essential operations of the institution. Bucknell has adopted these Guidelines for Expressing Dissent on Campus to protect freedom and to ensure that expressions of assent or dissent do not infringe on the expressive activities of others, or of the institution itself. These guidelines provide reasonable parameters to protect free expressive activity for all students, including those expressing dissent, and are maintained through collaboration between the Dean of Students and the Chief of Public Safety.

The following definitions apply for the purpose of interpreting these guidelines:

"Expressive Activity" means the expression of an idea, thought or opinion whether done verbally, in writing, or symbolically. Expressive activity may include speeches, assembly, marches, parades, protests, picketing, distribution of non-commercial literature, circulation of petitions, chalking or any other similar means to communicate a thought or idea.

Expressive activity specifically does NOT include, and the University specifically prohibits:

1. Any speech that is likely to incite or produce imminent violence, destruction of property or other lawless action
2. Expression that is harassing or violates the University nondiscrimination policies
3. Expression that is obscene
4. Expression that is commercial in nature
5. Expression that defames a specific individual
6. Expression that unjustifiably invades substantial privacy or confidentiality interests

"Amplification" means sound that is amplified by electronic means, including public address equipment, sound vehicles and amplified musical instruments.

"Vigil" means a stationary, peaceful demonstration in support of a particular cause or concern.

The University has designated the following areas on campus as spaces that may be reserved for free expression activities subject to the policies and procedures of the Office of Events Management:

1. The Science Quad (amplified sound is not permitted in this space during periods when classes are in session)
2. The Grove
3. All sidewalks adjacent to and leading to the Elaine Langone Center.

The University has reserved the following areas for University purposes only and DOES NOT permit access to these spaces for expressive activity:

1. Malesardi Quad
2. Sojka Lawn
3. Sidewalks in front of Marts Hall and Freas Hall, and surrounding the Weis Center for the Performing Arts

Additional Stipulations

• Demonstrations, protests and distribution of literature are not permitted in any spaces within University residence halls.
• Use of spaces within campus buildings and facilities for the purpose or expressive activity must be confirmed in advance through the Office of Events Management. Reservation of space in campus buildings and facilities is subject to the policies and procedures of Events Management.
• The University retains authority to relocate expressive activity based on the operational needs of the institution, or based on concerns related to health and safety. Activities will not be relocated based on the content of the expressive activity. Relocation may happen through the Office of Events Management, or spontaneously at the Direction of the Dean of Students or the Chief of Public Safety (or their designees).
• Advance reservation of space is required for expressive activities using amplified sound.
  • Amplified sound will not be approved at any location during exam periods, or on the days of any ceremonial University activities. No sound amplification will be approved between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
  • Amplified sound cannot exceed 90 decibels in the "A" scale at the source of amplification outside and 55 decibels inside.
• No written materials may be affixed to, or written on, any University facilities.
• Chalking and leaflets are not permitted on or in Malesardi Quad, the Sojka Lawn, sidewalks in front of Marts Hall and Freas Hall and surrounding the Weis Center, or all University residence halls.
• Symbolic expression including clothing, gestures or other silent expression is permissible anywhere on campus unless the activity is disruptive or otherwise violates University policy.

• Demonstrations and picketing are recognized as forms of free expression for members of student organizations, groups of students who do not hold official standing with the University, and individual students seeking to express dissent.
• The Student Code of Conduct must be followed at all times during the planning and execution of an expressive activity.
• The University will not interfere with demonstrations and picketing except as set forth in these guidelines and unless the gathering:
  • Physically hinders entrance to, or exit from, or passageways within University buildings or other structures or facilities.
  • Physically hinders the normal flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic on or into campus, including the access of fire and other emergency responders.
• Creates a volume of noise that prevents members of the University community from carrying on their normal activities including teaching, learning, studying and/or research.
• Employs force or violence, or constitutes an immediate threat of force or violence against person or property.
• Violates the following rules regarding congregation and assembly:
  • Groups may not enter private offices unless invited, and if invited, the number present may not exceed the number invited. Passages through reception areas in private office spaces may not be obstructed.
  • Individuals and/or groups may not remain in a space once an invitation to enter has been revoked or if they are specifically directed to leave.
  • Corridors, stairways, doorways and building entrances may not be blocked or obstructed, and unimpeded passageways must be maintained at all times in the interest of public safety.
  • No space within a University facility or structure may be occupied unless approved through the Events Management Office.
  • All spaces within a University building or facility must be cleared at the normal close of business for the building/facility unless other arrangements are approved in advance.
• At the conclusion of any demonstration or other expressive activity, organizers and participants must return the grounds and/or facility to the condition in place prior to the event, including disposing of any related garbage or written materials.

• Individuals engaged in expressive activity should expect that University personnel, including representatives from the Department of Public Safety, may be present for part or all of an event. Such presence may be necessary to ensure the protection of individuals participating in expressive activities and also to assure that the University's normal operations are not disrupted. The presence of University personnel should not be viewed as an effort to deter or otherwise interfere with expressive activity, except as described below.
• The Dean of Students and Chief of Public Safety (or their designees) shall determine the point at which an activity fails to comply with the guidelines for such activities as outlined in these guidelines. If the Dean of Students or the Chief of Public Safety (or their designees) determines that an activity is disruptive, obstructive or inconsistent with these guidelines the representatives of either office who are present at the event will take the following steps. If an organizer has been identified in advance, communication will be initiated through the organizer whenever reasonably possible.
  • Demonstrators will be informed that their activity is disruptive and/or violating University guidelines and that the activities should cease and desist. Demonstrators may also be informed specifically about how their activity may continue without causing disruption or violating University guidelines.
  • If demonstrators fail to comply with a request to cease and desist, or if they fail to appropriately modify their conduct, the warning will be repeated and clearly stated as a final warning.
  • If the final warning is ignored and the activity persists in an obstructive or disruptive manner, Public Safety will be summoned with a request to clear the area, or to remove the demonstrators.
• If at any time during an expressive activity or event, physical violence, unauthorized entry, disruption of normal business and/or academic activities, and/or destruction of property occurs, the Chief of Public Safety or a designee will instruct the demonstrators to clear the area immediately. If the demonstrators fail to leave the area upon hearing this instruction, Public Safety officers may arrest violators in order to clear the area.
• The University reserves the right to take any other steps that may be necessary, or to act immediately without regard to the sequence of these guidelines, when the health, safety and the property of any member of the community or the University has been harmed or imminently threatened.

Counter-demonstrations: When counter-demonstrations occur, the University commits to protecting the expression of all parties in accordance with these guidelines. On occasion, the Events Management Office may designate separate demonstration areas to ensure that all views can be expressed.

• Counter-demonstrations cannot deny the rights of others to engage in expressive activity.
• Students who intentionally interfere with expressive activity for the purpose of disrupting may be subject to discipline in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.

Vigils: All vigils must be approved in advance by the Office of Events Management.

• Candles must be battery operated or in use with drip guards.
• A fire extinguisher must be available at the event.
• Open flames are prohibited inside University facilities.