Guidelines on Freedom Of Expression and Dissent

Freedom of expression and dissent is protected by university policy for all members of the university community. The Catholic University of America values and defends the right of free speech and the freedom of the individual to express himself or herself, providing such expression respects the laws of the civil and the university communities and responsibility for the expression is assumed by the individual. The exercise of these rights must not deny the same rights to any other individual. This university acknowledges that, by common understanding, a university fosters and protects the rights of individuals to express themselves even in a dissenting mode.

Protest or demonstration shall not be discouraged so long as neither force nor the threat of force or other means of intimidation are used, and so long as the orderly processes of the university are not obstructed. Student membership in The Catholic University of America community carries with it, as a necessary condition, the agreement to honor and abide by these guidelines and by the Standard of Student Conduct. Specifically, expression of dissent should not:

1. deny or infringe upon the rights or result in harassment of other students, faculty, staff or guests of the university community;
2. disrupt or interfere with educational or other activities of the university community;
3. create a volume of sound that prevents members of the university community from their normal activities;
4. obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic on the campus;
5. obstruct or restrict the free movement of persons in any part of property owned or leased by the university;
6. deny the normal use of offices or other facilities to the students, faculty, staff or guests of the university;
7. endanger the safety of any person on the university campus; or
8. result in the defacement or destruction of university property.

— Approved by the vice president for student life, July 1, 1987; revised March 2000.