UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — University leaders are aware that student organizations are scheduling speakers this fall whose presence and rhetoric may spark controversy on campus. In the past, speakers have come to campus specifically to attract attention by promoting ideas that clash with the University's values of diversity, community, belonging and inclusion.
As a public university, Penn State must uphold the constitutional principles of free expression guaranteed to all Americans under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. This commitment to free speech makes it so that all viewpoints can be heard, fostering a diverse and robust exchange of ideas essential to the educational mission of the University.
To educate community members about Penn State’s support, obligations and responsibilities to the First Amendment, as well as help them understand the stake every individual has in upholding free speech, a website containing a wide array of resources, information and frequently asked questions has been launched. It can be found at freespeech.psu.edu.
"It can be challenging for our community members to understand why we uphold the protection of free expression, even when faced with hateful and offensive statements from some speakers,” said Andrea Dowhower, vice president for Student Affairs. “Like all public universities, we are not only bound by law to protect speech, but we also support it as foundational to all that we do. This commitment promotes discourse that encourages critical thinking and prepares our students to engage thoughtfully with diverse perspectives in a democratic society.”
Dowhower added that any speaker’s presence on campus should not be interpreted as an endorsement of the speaker’s ideas by the University or its community.
As a public university, Penn State grants recognized student organizations the ability to host outside speakers, and the University may not pick and choose which speakers will be permitted to speak based on the content of their message. The law requires the University to be content and viewpoint neutral.
Dowhower emphasized that the most effective response to speech we find offensive is to engage in more speech that articulates our own ideals and values. Other options, according to the vice president, are ignoring the speaker, holding alternative events, or engaging in peaceful demonstrations.
“We support the free speech rights of those who wish to protest peacefully against speech or activities with which they disagree,” said Dowhower. “For our students, responsible and peaceful involvement or demonstration is not a violation of the student code of conduct. However, employing violence or threatening violence, or disrupting the normal functions of the University are not permissible actions.”
University Police and Public Safety Chief Wes Sheets agreed and added that the well-being and safety of the community is the No. 1 priority, and he encouraged those who wish to protest to discuss these actions with University Police ahead of any potentially controversial events so that police can provide guidance on how to best use their voice without violating the law and the Student Code of Conduct.
Sheets added that the expectations for faculty, staff, students and visitors during all campus events are straightforward: The University requires all parties, whether supporting or opposing the event, to behave in accordance with the law and the code of conduct.
For anyone negatively impacted by the presence or rhetoric of a speaker on campus, there are numerous support resources available, according to Dowhower. Click here for a list of resources.