UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — As part of Penn State’s longstanding commitment to fostering an environment where free speech and expression are valued and protected, a new University website focused on the First Amendment was unveiled today (Sept. 16). The site can be found at the following link: provost.psu.edu/free-speech.
The site includes a wide variety of educational tools and resources to help faculty, staff and students navigate the complexities of constitutional rights. The site also helps explain and affirm academic freedom and encourages civic engagement.
As a land-grant institution, Penn State upholds the essential role of freedom of expression as a cornerstone of its educational mission. This new website serves that educational mission and will work as a hub for resources and information related to First Amendment rights and responsibilities.
"At Penn State, we believe that our University must be a place where ideas are debated with respect and rigor," said President Neeli Bendapudi. "This new website is a testament to our longstanding commitment to free speech, academic freedom, and the open exchange of ideas."
The Free Speech and Expression website features:
- The University’s overarching statement on Free Speech and Freedom of Expression.
- A downloadable primer on the First Amendment.
- Information on academic freedom and the definition of free speech.
- A list of resources related to the First Amendment and expressive activity on campus.
- Frequently asked questions related to the First Amendment and Penn State’s policies surrounding free speech.
- Resources for student voting.
Members of the Penn State community are encouraged to take time to explore the new website, along with the wide variety of tools and information provided there.