Expression and Assembly Policy

As a community of scholars, one of Alfred University’s core values is sustaining an environment that supports the open expression of ideas, including vigorous debate about competing ideas and viewpoints. While acknowledging the inherent tensions that arise among individuals with different ideas and views, this policy affirms Alfred University’s commitment to open inquiry through expression, assembly, and the resulting discourse fundamental to the mission of a university.

Alfred University supports the ability of all members of the academic community to express their views, including by works and actions, speaking about views and actions with which they disagree. The university also recognizes a concurrent obligation to maintain on university property and at university-sponsored events an atmosphere conducive to academic work and  life, to preserve the purpose of university ceremonies and public exercises, and to respect the ability of all individuals to participate fully in Alfred University’s educational mission.

The term expression covers speech, including viewpoints, ideas, debate, discussion, agreement, support, dissent, and protest. It also covers materials used for expressive purposes such as banners, flyers, handouts, digital materials, art, and symbolic structures, and “chalking.”

The term assembly covers gatherings of individuals or groups, or coordinated expression among individuals or groups, including vigils, rallies, protests, and demonstrations.

Whether expressing convictions as an individual or as a member of a group, all members of the Alfred academic community are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with university policies and the principles of academic freedom, including policies that protect individuals and groups from discrimination and harassment, to respect the educational processes and goals of the university, to support the ability of each member of the community to learn and work in a safe, inclusive environment.

Assembly, inclusive of protest and dissent, is fundamental to rigorous discourse and the development of thought and reasoning. Correspondingly, assemblies must not limit, interfere with, or infringe upon the ability of others to express their views, to counter-assemble, or to participate in other activities and programs on Alfred University property or Alfred-affiliated programs and events off campus. Assemblies must materially allow for the continuation of the university’s educational and operational processes without disruption, as well as follow all health and safety policies.

This policy defines allowable behaviors and actions on Alfred University property and during off-property university-sponsored or -affiliated events and programs within the framework of our educational mission. It does not supersede local, state, and federal law.

This policy applies to: enrolled Alfred University students, whether full- or part-time, in any Alfred University educational program; persons employed by Alfred University as faculty or staff; persons employed by contracted entities to provide a service to Alfred University in which the work location is on any of Alfred University’s campus properties; and alumni, sponsored guests, visitors, and participants in Alfred University programs.  

Expression: Speech and Material

Expressive Speech

Together, Alfred University faculty, staff, and students commit to realizing the university’s mission. The use of university resources and property, and concomitant conduct, in the execution of staff professional duties, faculty academic responsibilities, and student living, learning, and co-curricular activities are described elsewhere in staff, faculty, and student handbooks.

Ownership of one’s personal expression is fundamental to academic freedom and the intended creation of new knowledge that arises from discourse.  In personal expression of beliefs and views, all members of Alfred University are responsible for the ideas and views they express. They may not directly or indirectly attribute their ideas, positions, and views to Alfred University. Expression and assembly that occurs in accordance with this policy may be interpreted neither as Alfred University’s endorsement nor refutation of its subject, topic, content, or position.

Material Expression

Banners, flyers, signs, displays, “chalking,” digital materials supported by university technology, and art and symbolic structures must follow Alfred University posting policies and building and grounds codes. It is a violation of this policy to deface or remove permissible expressive materials.

Assembly

Alfred University allows its facilities to be made available for expression and assembly. Each university unit that manages gathering spaces for meeting and events has established processes for reserving such spaces. The university reserves the right to decline to permit, or to require cessation of expression and assembly, under circumstances where the university determines that their occurrence may endanger, or has endangered, the health or safety of persons or university property. However, reservations shall not be denied to any Alfred University student, faculty, or staff based on expressive content unless such content otherwise violates university policy.  

The reservation or procurement of Alfred University property and resources for expression and assembly is reserved exclusively for enrolled students, faculty, and staff of Alfred University, including for the purpose of hosting sponsored guests. Sponsors are responsible for the activities of their guests while on Alfred property or during off-campus affiliated programs and events; sponsors must be present during guest events and activities. Guests and visitors who violate university policy may be subject to criminal or civil penalty.

Assembly or event hosts may elect to allow attendance or invite participation by individuals from the external community; hosts are similarly responsible for ensuring that such participation follows all university policies. Visitors who violate university policy may be subject to criminal or civil penalty.

Ex tempore expression and assembly may not unreasonably interfere with Alfred University’s educational mission, policy, and operations, as described above.

Violation of Policy

Alfred University enrolled students, faculty, staff, sponsored guests, and visitors violate this policy if they:

  • Violate any federal, state, local or other applicable law;
  • Infringe on the ability of other members of the Alfred University community to engage in expression and assembly;
  • Disrupt expression or assembly so that it impedes the ability of a speaker to be heard. Disruption may include blocking entry, excessive noise, continually interrupting a speaker, preventing an audience from seeing or otherwise engaging with a speaker or otherwise meaningfully participating in discourse;
  • Create hardship that substantially impedes an Alfred University community member’s  expression or ability to assemble;

The president is responsible for enforcing this policy. In determining whether violations of the policy have occurred and how best the violations should be addressed, the president will consult with and closely rely on the following management team members:

  • the vice president for student experience in cases involving students;
  • the provost/chief operating officer in cases involving faculty; and
  • the chief human resources officer in cases involving staff.

The Office of Public Safety, reporting to the vice president for student experience, will be involved by the president and the president’s management team as needed to enforce this policy.

Local law enforcement will be relied upon as needed in cases involving visitors and guests.