Expression of Views by Visiting Speakers
POL 04.25.01
Authority: Board of Trustees
History:
First Issued: May 20, 1983. Last Revised: November 21, 1997.
Additional References: UNC Code: Appendix I.C (Personnel), XII (Students), and XV (Security)
Contact Info: Vice Chancellor and General Counsel (919-515-3071)
1. Academic freedom is fundamental to the purposes of North Carolina State
University. As the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina
states, "The University of North Carolina is dedicated to the transmission
and advancement of knowledge and understanding. Academic freedom is essential
to the achievement of these purposes. The University, therefore, supports
and encourages freedom of inquiry for faculty members and students to the
end that they may responsibly pursue these goals through teaching, learning,
research, discussion, and publication, free from internal or external restraints
that would unreasonably restrict their academic endeavors." (The Code,
Section 600(1)).
2. North Carolina State University has an obligation to protect the responsible
exercise of the freedom of faculty and students teaching, seeking, and speaking
the truth. The Board of Governors recognizes that the faculty and students
should be protected in their responsible exercise of their rights of academic
freedom (The Code, Section 600(2)), and further imposes upon all members
of the University community a responsibility for maintaining an environment
in which "academic freedom flourishes and in which the rights of each
member of the academic community are respected." (The Code, Section
600(3))
3. The rights of expression guaranteed to faculty and students should also
be provided to visiting speakers at North Carolina State University. All lawful
speakers shall be accorded the right to present their views without disruption.
Visiting speakers' appearances at North Carolina State University shall be
in accordance with the policies and regulations adopted by the Board of Trustees
and the Board of Governors. The University is organized around a commitment
to an orderly process of inquiry and discussion. It is necessary to the preservation
of our free society that the University remain free to examine all ideologies
to the end that the educational purposes of this institution shall be served.
4. The Trustees recognize that the University is owned by the people of North
Carolina. It is the duty of the Board of Trustees to see that the University
is operated in a lawful manner for the benefit of the people. A diversity
of viewpoints is an inherent part of the fabric of free discussion at a university;
however, no speaker, whether faculty, student or visitor, should advocate,
advise, or teach a doctrine that the government of the United States, the
state of North Carolina, or any political subdivision thereof shall be overthrown
or overturned by a force or violence or by any other unlawful means because
such action is unlawful under North Carolina law (N.C.G.S. 14-11, 14-12.1).
5. The Trustees wish to emphasize to the citizens of the state and to the members
of the University community that the right of free discussion of divergent
ideas shall be protected, defended, and upheld at North Carolina State University
with the utmost vigor and in a manner consistent with the laws of this state
and nation. At the same time, the University emphasizes that the appearance
of any individual on the campus does not mean that the University approves
what that individual says or represents.
6. In order to ensure that the presentation of speakers is consistent with
the principles herein set forth, the Trustees adopt these policies and regulations
which shall be administered by the Chancellor or his designate. Actions of
students, faculty, or staff which disrupt speakers at this University shall
be considered violations of this policy and of the Disruptions Policy of the
University. The Chancellor may pursue appropriate sanctions against disruptive
individuals pursuant to the Disruptions Policy or other University policies
and procedures as he deems appropriate. The University shall also make every
legal effort to assure that persons from outside the University shall not
disrupt the process of free inquiry while still affording broad community
access to public forums on the campus.
7. The following regulations governing the appearance of visiting speakers
are adopted.
7.1 Efforts shall be made to allow presentation of views on all sides of
controversial issues in a balanced program of public addresses over a reasonable
period of time.
7.2 When the Chancellor deems it appropriate, he shall require that a forum
be presided over by a senior faculty member.
7.3 The right to present the opposing point-of-view in an appropriate manner
and occasion shall be assured.
7.4 Only student and University organizations which are recognized by the
University may use campus facilities for the presentation of speakers.
7.5 Non-University organizations authorized through official channels to
meet on the campus shall be specifically informed that the use of facilities
must conform to State laws and to these regulations.
