CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES

The Board of Trustees of the Redwoods Community College District holds the following assumptions basic to district policy:

That free discussion is a right extended to thoughtful citizens but that no one has the right to abuse this freedom by advocating the overthrow of the government by force.

That a free society functions efficiently only if its citizens have the right to discuss, to debate, and to disagree constructively.

That the Constitutional guarantee of freedom of speech is meaningful only to the extent that the majority is willing to hear honest expressions of unpopular ideas by minority groups.

That an educated citizenry, fully aware of all the evidence, is best able to preserve the valuable heritage of American democratic institutions.

That the College of the Redwoods has an obligation to its community to promote healthy discussion as an educative force.

That the truth will prevail in the market place of ideas.

In the light of these assumptions, the Board of Trustees of the Redwoods Community College District declares these official statements of policy:

Within the framework of the orderly processes of our democratic constitutional society, the faculty of the College of the Redwoods will have freedom to consider all issues which will contribute to the development of its students.

Pursuant to this adopted policy, presentation in open forum of speakers with varying points of view on current issues may be undertaken by the Board and administration of the Redwoods Community College District in fulfilling its obligation as an educative force in its community.

The Board of Trustees directs the President of the College to develop procedures which implement this policy in an orderly manner pursuant to the goals and objectives of the College.



Adopted by Board of Trustees
August 15, 1977