- The University is committed to free and open inquiry and expression for members of its community. The University is dedicated to the promotion of lively and fearless freedom of debate and deliberation, but also to the protection of that freedom when others attempt to restrict it. In cases of Prohibited Conduct, the protections of the First Amendment and applicable state law must be considered if issues of speech or expression are involved.
- Moreover, in regulating the conduct of its students, faculty, and staff to prevent or redress discrimination prohibited by Title IX, great care must be taken not to inhibit open discussion, academic debate, and expression of personal opinions, particularly in the classroom. Nonetheless, speech or conduct of a harassing, sexual, or hostile nature that occurs in the context of educational instruction may exceed the protections of academic freedom and constitute prohibited harassment if it meets the definition of Prohibited Conduct and (1) is reasonably regarded as non-professorial speech (i.e., advances a personal interest of the student or faculty member as opposed to furthering the learning process or legitimate objectives of the course), or (2) lacks an accepted pedagogical purpose or is not germane to the academic subject matter.