Freedom of Expression

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As an institution of higher learning dedicated to research, teaching, and service, Vanderbilt is firmly committed to institutional neutrality, academic freedom, and freedom of expression and will maintain the conditions of freedom of inquiry, thought, and discussion on campus. The education of Vanderbilt students is guided by the University’s commitment to the principles of academic integrity, open communication and inquiry, nondiscrimination, and civility. Students are considered as partners in this endeavor and, while in a diverse community the views and ideas of its members will inevitably conflict at times, Vanderbilt expects students to be respectful of each other and to contribute in positive ways to an orderly and civil exchange of diverse ideas and opinions. Vanderbilt seeks to foster a sense of belonging for all students where they can feel welcome and as safe as possible in an environment dedicated to the critical discussion of complex and challenging ideas. Freedom of expression applies even when that expression directly challenges the beliefs and ideas of another and even when that expression may be deemed disagreeable or possibly even offensive. When an individual or group deems the ideas of others to be contrary to their own, the response should be to engage in discussion, debate, and mutually respectful dialogue. A core part of the University’s mission is to provide opportunities for intellectual exchanges to take place. Such intellectual exchanges cannot take place when individuals disrupt campus operations, impede the free flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic, violate University policies, engage in disorderly conduct, cause physical harm to person or property, or otherwise infringe on the rights of other members of the University community to access the University’s spaces or educational programs and activities.

To foster such an environment, the following guidelines have been set for students, groups of students, and registered student organizations.

Demonstrations, Dissents, Protests, and Counterprotests

  • Definitions
    • Demonstrations. Demonstrations are independent from any other event or activity occurring on campus. A Demonstration is different from a Protest in that the timing, location, and manner are not connected to a campus speaker, event, or activity, nor does it need to be for it to accomplish its goal.
    • Dissents. Dissents are short and spontaneous non-violent verbal or non-verbal reactions to a speaker.
    • Expression. Collectively, any Demonstration, Dissent, Protest, or Counterprotest, as defined within this policy.
    • Protests. Protests are responses to or intentionally take place during other events or activities occurring on campus. A Protest is different from a Demonstration in that the timing, location, and manner are connected to a campus speaker, event, or activity, and does so in order to accomplish its goal.
    • Counterprotests. Counterprotests share the same definition as protests, except that they are in response to another Organizer’s activity.
    • Installations. Installations are symbolic structures, exhibits, etc. on campus intended as a form of demonstration, protest, or counterprotest. Refer to the Installations policy for more information.
    • Organizer. An Organizer is one who is either primarily responsible for planning, sponsoring, hosting, promoting, or funding Expression or is so associated with the Expression that a reasonable person would infer that responsibility. Using this standard, the University will identify an individual(s) or Registered Student Organization(s) as an Organizer(s) for the purpose of implementing and enforcing this policy. Organizers may be held both individually and, in the case of Registered Student Organizations, organizationally responsible for University policy violations stemming out of or resulting from the Expression, including acts by participants who were invited by Organizers or for whom the Organizers could or should have exercised reasonable control. Organizers of a protest are not responsible for the acts of participants in a counterprotest.
      • “Planning” includes, but is not limited to, primarily contributing to decisions regarding the timing, location, manner, or other execution of the Expression.
      • “Sponsoring” includes, but is not limited to, partnering with another Registered Student Organization, unrecognized student organization, or external entity to execute or support the Expression.
      • “Hosting” includes, but is not limited to, reserving University space or using an off-campus space owned or controlled by the individual(s) or Registered Student Organization(s) for the planning or execution of the Expression.
      • “Promoting” includes, but is not limited to, communicating via any form of social media, app (e.g. GroupMe), print materials, or deliberate campaigning to advertise or market the Expression or to invite or otherwise encourage others to participate.
      • “Funding” includes, but is not limited to, making payments from organization dues, an organization bank account, a collection of funds from organization members, or payments made by an individual(s) or the solicitation of payments from an individual(s) to support the planning and execution of the Expression.
  • Introduction
    • Demonstrations, Dissents, Protests, and Counterprotests, are a necessary and valued form of expression. Individuals and organizations seeking to organize a Demonstration, Protest, or Counterprotest should contact the Vice Provost and Dean of Students or designee (Dean) to assist with planning. The Dean will advise Organizers on execution of the activity with the goal that it occur as envisioned with minimal complications. All University policies apply during Demonstrations, Protests, and Counterprotests. Organizers as well as those participating are responsible for knowing and abiding by University policies as well as local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
  • Planning
    • Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Use of University Space Policy, when possible, a request to hold a Demonstration, Protest, or Counterprotest should be submitted to the Dean at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the planned activity to ensure its successful execution. The submission should include the time, date, and location. The University may require Organizers to change the time, location, or manner if it is determined the Demonstration, Protest, or Counterprotest, as planned, would be disruptive to campus operations, impede the free flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic, violate University policies, or infringe on the rights of other members of the University community to access the University's spaces or educational programs and activities.
    • For Demonstrations, Protests, and Counterprotests occurring on campus property, only Registered Student Organizations and University departments may reserve space for Expression in accordance with the Reserving Space policy. Students not affiliated with a Registered Student Organization, administrative office, or academic departments may only use campus space on a first-come basis and at the discretion of the University. The Dean can reserve space for such students who have properly engaged in the planning process.
    • For Demonstrations, Protests, and Counterprotests occurring off campus on city sidewalks and streets adjacent to the University, Organizers should make appropriate arrangements to acquire city permits and should adhere to city ordinances and applicable local, state and federal law.
  • Participation by the Public
    • The public, including parents and alumni, may not participate in or be invited to an on-campus Demonstration, Protest, or Counterprotest.
    • The public may participate in off-campus Demonstrations and Protests.
    • The University reserves the right to request University identification from participants engaged in Demonstrations, Protests, and Counterprotests on campus to determine whether an individual is affiliated with Vanderbilt. An individual who does not have University identification or who refuses to provide University identification will be relocated to a public street or escorted off campus.
  • Implementation
    • Demonstrations
      • During Demonstrations, Organizers and participants may engage in audible and symbolic acts (e.g., giving speeches, chanting, marching, holding signs, or similarly raising awareness of a national, local, or campus issue). Signs, banners or other physical objects held by one to two people are allowed so long as they do not block access or participation or violate university policy. Symbolic structures, exhibits, etc. should follow the Installations policy.
    • Protests, Counterprotests, & Dissents
      • During Protests, Organizers and participants may engage in silent and symbolic acts (e.g., picketing, holding signs, turning backs, covering ears, or similarly raising awareness of a national, local, or campus issue) unless a space has been designated by the University for audible acts or the protest is so far from the targeted campus event or activity as to not reasonably disturb participants. Dissents are also an appropriate form of protest.
      • Both Protests and Dissents should respect the rights of others wishing to engage in the University activity or event that is the focus of said Expression. Others must be allowed free and safe access to the meeting or activity, unobstructed and undisrupted viewing, the ability to hear and view a speaker undisrupted, as well as the ability to otherwise reasonably participate. Signs, banners or other physical objects held by one to two people are allowed so long as they do not block access or participation or violate university policy. Symbolic structures, exhibits, etc. should follow the Installations policy.
    • Distribution of Literature
      • Students or Registered Student Organizations who distribute information, whether physically or electronically, are responsible for the content. Students distributing material as a form of protest or counterprotest may distribute physical materials, including flyers, leaflets, informational sheets, or similar materials, outside the building in which a meeting has been scheduled by another group or organization, if the distributors position themselves twenty feet from the entrance so as to avoid restricting access or disrupting participation. For outdoor events, distributors may position themselves twenty feet from the reserved lawn or area, again in a manner to avoid restricting access or disrupting participation. There may be no charge or requested donations for these materials. Students may also distribute information using electronic media in compliance with the University’s Student Computing Policy and the Computing Privileges and Responsibilities Acceptable Use Policy. Students distributing information, whether physically or using electronic media, must also comply with other communications policies by including the name and contact information of the distributing individual or group on each piece of printed or electronic material. If the group is not a Registered Student Organization, the names of the individual student(s) responsible for the information must also be provided.
  • Noise
  • Duration
    • Due to space and staffing demands involving Expression, the duration of such acts is recommended to be no longer than 3 hours. In any case, Expressions may not last more than 7.5 hours.
    • Demonstrations, Protests, and Counterprotests may not occur at times that would require individuals to sleep or gather overnight given safety, logistical, and maintenance concerns.
  • University Officials
    • The University may, at its discretion, have individuals from Student Affairs, Vanderbilt University Public Safety, or other University departments present at Protests, Demonstrations, and other events to observe and advise. Organizers and participants are expected to comply with instructions of University officials.
  • Relocation or Termination
    • The University will work with Organizers and participants to relocate Expression that may or terminate Expression that does 1) disrupt campus operations, 2) impede the free flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic, 3) violate University policies, 4) engage in disorderly conduct, 5) cause physical harm to person or property, or 6) infringe on the rights of other members of the University community to access the University's spaces or educational programs and activities. When the University determines relocation or termination is necessary based on the enumerated factors above, the University will attempt to determine if another location with similar visibility and impact will ameliorate concerns. If another suitable location is unavailable or if the disruption, impediment, violation, disorder, harm, or infringement are so significant as to present ongoing concerns, the Expression will be terminated until the Organizers work with the Dean to plan a future time, location, and manner for conducting the Expression in accordance with policy.
    • Demonstrations and Protests are not permitted to occur in the following locations:
      • Private offices, private residences, research laboratories or associated facilities, and computer centers;
      • Specific areas of offices, museums, libraries, and other facilities that contain valuable or sensitive materials, collections, equipment, and records protected by law, or by existing University policy, such as educational records, student-related or personnel-related records, or financial records;
      • Classrooms, art and music practice rooms, seminar rooms, auditoriums, meeting rooms, or outdoor spaces in which University academic courses or private meetings are being held or are scheduled to be held;
      • Residential areas during quiet hours; and
      • Student Health Center, University Counseling Center, Student Care Coordination, Center for Student Wellbeing, Project Safe, Title IX office, Vanderbilt University Police Department headquarters, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, other administrative offices in which student privacy is paramount, critical infrastructure (such as the Power House), as well as the surrounding green space or grounds (including, but not limited to, sidewalks, access roads, parking areas, etc.)any other space that obstructs entry or access to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and other facilities or services vital to continued functioning of the University.
      • University statues and sculptures may not be climbed on or covered with any material.
  • Debrief
    • Organizers are encouraged to meet with the Dean after the Expression has occurred to review successes and challenges for future planning.

Impromptu or Spontaneous Activism

  • On occasion, Expression cannot reasonably meet the advance planning expectations despite adequate forethought by Organizers. In such cases, Organizers are strongly encouraged to seek an expedited review of plans by the Dean.
  • If Expression occurs without an expedited review, the University may discuss with Organizers whether relocation or termination is necessary. Whereas planned Expression may be relocated or terminated based on the enumerated considerations defined above, impromptu or spontaneous activism may be relocated or terminated without cause at the sole discretion of the University to allow for Organizers to work through the planning process; provided however, that the University will not relocate or terminate impromptu or spontaneous activism based on the viewpoint of those engaging in Expression.
  • Dissent, by its nature, is impromptu or spontaneous. Dissent may occur without any prior University review, but the University retains the right to terminate such activity should it convert to Demonstration, Protest, or Counterprotest or otherwise be disruptive to campus operations, impede the free flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic, violate University policies, or infringe on the rights of other members of the University community to access the University's spaces or educational programs and activities.

Disorderly Conduct

In addition to the grounds for relocating or terminating Expression, individuals engaged in Expression may not:

  • Riot or engage in other destructive gatherings;.
  • Use or wear masks (other than those required for health-related reasons) or costumes that obscure participants’ identity;
  • Brandish weapons or items that could reasonably be believed to be weapons;
  • Use words and engage in actions that may incite violence, physical altercations, or that a reasonable person would believe is designed to intimidate or threaten others.
  • Obstruct or disrupt teaching, administration, University procedures and activities, or other authorized activities on University premises;
  • Impede University events and activities—including, but not limited to, excessive noise, continually interrupting a speaker, preventing an audience from seeing/engaging with a speaker or participating in an activity, disrupting the viewing of a presentation or speaker, blocking entrances or exits, or impeding free movement; or
  • Fail to comply with University officials providing instruction regarding the Freedom of Expression policy.

Disorderly conduct, as outlined above, may subject an Organizer or participant to removal from the event, referral for corrective action through the University’s accountability process, Interim Restriction, or other legal action available to the University. The sanctions for violating University policy –whether for disorderly conduct or other acts—consider both the disciplinary history of the individual as well as what level of response would most effectively 1) stop the behavior, 2) prevent its reoccurrence, and 3) mitigate future and ongoing impacts to the community. Individuals may, but are not required to be, warned of potential consequences; ongoing violation of policy after a warning may be taken into account in sanctioning. While the campus is generally open to the public, the University may cite with trespassing individuals engaging in prohibited conduct during Demonstrations, Dissents, Protests, and Counterprotest.