Free Speech and Academic Freedom

Free Speech and Academic Freedom

A university is a place where competing ideas are expressed and debated. While you are at Idaho State, you will likely hear controversial speakers on campus and challenging statements in your classes. Exposure to ideas or beliefs that may be different from your own is part of the learning and growth that are the essence of the college experience. This exposure helps you to embrace new ideas that you find meaningful, as well as to debate or refute ideas that you believe are wrong or harmful, which is an essential part of civic discourse.

The First Amendment of the United States Constitution prohibits the government from making  laws that abridge the freedom of speech. State universities like ISU are state government entities and therefore may not restrict the legally-protected speech of students, faculty, staff,  or others.  

The related concept of academic freedom gives faculty members the freedom to introduce a  variety of topics and viewpoints in the classroom, including controversial material. The  incredible variety of topics you will encounter in your time at Idaho State is what makes this environment so special.  

Idaho State stands firmly behind free speech and academic freedom as vital parts of  the educational mission of higher education. At the same time, we also strive to create a diverse,  inclusive, and caring campus community. Our commitments to inclusion and free speech are not  

mutually exclusive. In fact, throughout our nation’s history, the right of free speech has been  crucial to the advancement of civil rights, justice, and equality.  

However, it is important to acknowledge that one person’s free speech may sometimes cause  another to feel disrespected, excluded, or unwelcome. The First Amendment is broad and  protects controversial and offensive speech, including some speech commonly referred to as  "hate speech." The fundamental principle behind the First Amendment is that the state may not prohibit or  punish speech just because it offends someone, even if a majority of people would find it  shocking or outrageous. 

Instead, generally the best response to offensive speech is more speech. In other words, when you hear  something with which you disagree, whether it is directed at yourself or at others, you are  encouraged to respond and say why the message was wrong, hurtful, or otherwise inappropriate.  We also encourage you to be responsible with your speech. Just because you can say something does not mean you should say it. It is important to choose to use your freedom  wisely and to make choices that will make you and your university proud. One way to meet this  challenge is to choose to treat one another according to our community values of compassion,  respect, and dignity.

In addition, although the First Amendment allows community members to criticize the views of  fellow community members and guest speakers, it does not allow anyone to obstruct the  expression of those views or otherwise to disrupt classes or events. Direct threats, incitements of violence, and other serious disruptions to university operations are generally not legally-protected speech and should be reported immediately. For more information on prohibited conduct, see the Student Code of Conduct. 

It is also important to remember that supporting free speech rights does not mean you agree with  any particular ideas that are communicated. The University may allow a controversial speaker to  come to campus, or a faculty member may make or allow students to make controversial  statements in a classroom. Allowing or fostering debate does not suggest support for any  particular message or speaker. 

Finally, although the University does not punish individuals for engaging in protected speech, it  does provide resources and support for those harmed by hateful or offensive speech. Anyone  who is hurt or feels excluded by another's speech may seek support from the Office of Equity and Inclusion (208-282-3964). 

 

Regardless of differences in the color of our skin, our gender or sexual identities, the countries  we come from, or the religious or political beliefs we hold, we are all part of the Idaho State  family. We encourage you to embrace and learn from our collective diversity, to engage with  each other in robust and civil debate, and to treat one another with compassion, respect, and  dignity. 

Welcome to the diverse and vibrant community that is Idaho State University. We hope your  time here is an enjoyable and transformative experience.

 

For information about voting deadlines by state, try this site: Absentee Voting Rules, Dates And Deadlines For Your State. In the meantime, check out these important dates:

• The deadline to request a mail-in ballot in Idaho is 5:00 p.m. on October 23. 
• The mail-in ballot must be received by 3:00 p.m. on November 3. 
• Statewide Early In-person Voting period is October 19-30.

Holt Arena is a polling site on November 3rd.  The polls will be located in the north hall of the facility.  I believe that students on campus will vote in precinct #32 which is one of the precinct's at Holt.