Free speech is the foundation of higher education and paramount to fulfilling the university’s mission of excellence, access, and inclusion and thereby empowering all people to lead successful lives of involvement, innovation, and impact. Through its principles of community, USU affirms the inherent dignity and value of each individual in our university community and is committed to freedom of expression and respectful dialogue.
Free Speech Laws and Policies
Freedom of expression is protected by federal and state law and by university policy.
Limits of Free Speech
Speech may not be protected in specific circumstances and USU may regulate the time, place, and manner of free expression activities.
Planning an Event
Students are encouraged to create opportunities to gather and learn, but the university may regulate the time, place, and manner of activities.
Create an Inclusive Campus
USU is committed to protecting freedom of speech while also advancing equity and inclusion on campus.
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FAQ: The First Amendment and Campus Life
The following video is created and provided by the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), a nonpartisan organization dedicated to defending and sustaining the individual rights of students and faculty members at America’s colleges and universities. FIRE provides lessons and resources to inform campus communities about free speech.