Additional Information
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Incident Nature:
Other
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Incident Political Orientation:
Not Clear -
Incident Responses:
Other
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Incident Status:
No litigation
- Was Speech Code incident
Summary
Ohio law requires universities in Ohio to adopt a policy affirming several principles of campus free speech and a process under which a student, student group or faculty member may submit a complaint about an alleged violation of the policy.
Ohio State trustees initially passed an interim free speech policy and process at their August 2022 meeting.
Following the 2022 approval, the university reviewed the interim policy through the established university policy process, including by soliciting feedback from students, faculty and staff to ensure that the policy emphasizes the value of free speech and promotes its application through established university rules, procedures and practices.
Some of the key principles of the policy include:
- Students have a fundamental constitutional right to free speech.
- Ohio State is committed to giving students broad latitude to speak, write, listen, challenge, learn and discuss any issue subject to lawful restrictions that are permitted under the First Amendment.
- The proper role of the university is not to attempt to shield individuals from free speech, including ideas and opinions they find offensive.
- The university greatly values civility and mutual respect. Nevertheless, concerns about civility and mutual respect may never be used as a justification for closing off the discussion of ideas.
- All students and faculty are free to state their own views about and contest the views expressed on campus.
- The primary responsibility of faculty is to engage in an honest, courageous and persistent effort to search out and communicate the truth that lies in the areas of their competence.
The policy aligns with the university’s Shared Values, which include a commitment to diversity and innovation. Ohio State promotes a culture of welcoming differences, making connections among people and ideas, and encouraging open-minded exploration, risk-taking and freedom of expression.
