201a-08-1 Safeguarding Free Expression, Peaceful Assembly, and Privacy
Journal Title
Loading...
Issue Date
Authors
Publisher
SUNY University Faculty Senate
Keywords
Abstract
Resolution calls for SUNY-wide refinement of content-neutral time, place & manner policies to enhance protection of participants in lawful assembly and protest.
Description
Chancellor King's Response:
At SUNY, we believe unapologetically in academic freedom, in freedom of expression, and in preventing discrimination and harassment. These rights and responsibilities can, and must, exist side-by-side in order to provide a safe, inclusive, and welcoming education for every SUNY student.
SUNY has issued – and will continue to communicate – clear, morally unambiguous statements vowing to protect student safety; rejecting antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism, sexism, anti-LGBTQ+ bias, and other forms of bigotry and hatred; and reiterating the importance of free expression alongside the need of all students, faculty, and staff to engage one another with respect even when they disagree. I want to especially
recognize the important work of our Civil Discourse and Civic Education & Engagement Fellows, who are supporting faculty across the System in implementing our new General Education core competency in civic discourse.
As the resolution notes, content-neutral time, place, and manner restrictions govern protests and other activities on our campuses. In advance of the fall 2024 semester, SUNY provided all State-operated campuses with model policies for content-neutral time, place, and manner restrictions. These policies protect the rights of members of the campus community to protest, as well as the rights of all other students, faculty, staff, and visitors to our campuses.
In addition, SUNY is committed to fidelity to the Title VI protections from discrimination and harassment afforded to all students. Every SUNY faculty and staff member is required to complete annual Title VI training. SUNY began this policy in fall 2024, becoming the first known System in the nation to do so. Building on this work, every SUNY campus is now also required to appoint a Title VI Coordinator and all student organization leaders and residence life staff at State-operated campuses are required to take the annual Title VI student training.