FREE EXPRESSION BY STUDENTS

1. Freedom of speech and assembly and an educated citizenry are the cornerstones of democracy. An educational institution in a society governed according to these principles has a special responsibility to educate its students and its community so that free discussion, assembly, and the curious mind will remain viable instruments of intelligent self-direction.

2. The college community must provide an atmosphere in which its citizenry can examine ideas and learn to discriminate among them. Such discriminations can be made only on the basis of free inquiry, which entails the analysis of issues, the weighing of evidence, and the recognition of fact and fallacy. The cultivation of such inquiry is a special responsibility of the school, the assumption being that truth will prevail in the marketplace of ideas.

3. For these reasons freedom of speech and assembly will be encouraged at College of the Redwoods as the fundamental prerequisites of free inquiry and free discussion. In keeping with these basic American principles, students, faculty members, and administrators are free to bring to the campus a diversity of viewpoints reflecting the variety of opinions to be found in our society as a whole.

4. These freedoms are accompanied by responsibilities, both legal and academic. All in the college community have the responsibility of assuring that an open atmosphere prevails on campus, that the expression of any shade of opinion is respected, that speakers are not interrupted or harassed, and that language, acts, or displays that would seriously offend significant numbers of people be avoided as being a deterrent to meaningful dialogue and growth.

5. All in the college community must remember that the disruption of the normal functions of any class, meeting, office, or facility, the threat of intimidation or physical coercion, and the use of libelous or purely obscene language, acts, or displays are not allowed by law and are, therefore, not protected by this policy of
freedom of speech.

6. Students who neglect to observe these principles shall be subject to suspension or expulsion under the district student code of conduct or applicable penal code sections. Faculty members who disregard these guidelines are subject to appropriate professional action. The Board, through the administration, will enforce the
applicable laws.

Policy for Speakers on Campus

A. Classroom Guest Speakers
Refer to Board Policy 116 and Administrative Regulation 116.01 for guidelines covering classroom guest speakers.

B. Open Meeting (one which is open to the general public)
The presentation of any speaker or program in an open meeting shall have the prior approval of the appropriate area administrator, who shall assume the responsibility for the invitation and supervise the physical arrangements. The administrator shall be guided by the policies of the board. Any program conflicting with board policy is subject to cancellation.

C. Campus Guest Speakers
Refer to Board Policy 117 and Administrative Regulation 117.01 for guidelines covering campus guest speakers.

D. Club Meeting
The presentation of any speaker or program initiated by a student club or recognized student organization shall have the approval of the student activities coordinator and faculty advisor of that club or organization.

E. Open Mike Forum for Students and Employees of the District
An appropriate location will be designated for presentation (formal and informal) by faculty members, students,
administrators, trustees, or members of the classified staff of the college. The open mike activities are confined to members of the college community or approved off-campus guest(s) (see Section C above). Any organization or individual wishing to be assured time should make arrangements with the Vice President of Student Services or designee. A statement prepared by the district counsel, including reminders of fair play and libelous, slanderous or illegal actions, will be brought to the attention of users of the facility.

Dissemination of Information
Every bulletin board on campus will be assigned as open or closed by the Vice President of Student Services or designee after consultation with the department or individual involved. A closed bulletin board will signify that it will be used only for department matters. An open board will signify that literature may be posted under the jurisdiction of the respective division administrator.

Any CR student, faculty member, administrator, board member, or classified staff member may post or distribute literature at the kiosks and/or other designated areas upon the approval of the Vice President of Student Services or designee. Materials that may be libelous, slanderous, or that may prompt illegal actions may not be approved.

Any off-campus group or individual will not be allowed to post or pass out material without approval of the Vice President of Student Services or designee.


Adopted by the Board of Trustees: August 15, 1977; July 17, 1978; June
1983 Amended: October 3, 1994