Freedom of Speech

Freedom of SpeechStudent demonstrations and

university administration responses

Susan BuckenmeyerStudent Organization Policy Advisor

The University of Texas at Austin

Reed C. RallojayStudent Organization Policy AdvisorThe University of Texas at Austin

Video Example http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

4Gr1BIDi97M

http://i.huffpost.com/gen/268092/thumbs/r-STUDENT-PROTESTS-large570.jpg

Presentation Overview

About The University of Texas at Austin Role of the Office of the Dean of Students Examples of Free Speech Situations Future initiatives at UT Austin Activity/Discussion Resources Questions

Refresher Universities can control

• Time

• Place

• Manner

The University of Texas at Austin

Public university campus• Limited Public Forum

“This is a public university… for the private use of the University faculty, staff and students.”

Institutional Rules on Student Services and Activities and Student Rights and Responsibilities

Role of the Office of the Dean of Students

Procedure Gather intelligence

• Registered student organization (RSO)/department, protesting organization/person, flier, advisers, or UTPD

Conduct outreach• RSO/department (talking points handout), protesting

organization/person, UTPD Develop a response plan

• who, what, where, when, why Communicate plan to stakeholders Attend event and carry out plans Support Report outcomes

Examples of Free Speech Situations

Counter demonstration of an event

Response to a guest speaker

Issue based demonstration

http://www.kfoxtv.com/2008/0130/15172561_240X180.jpg

Future Initiatives

Develop a Response Team Provide training opportunities for

campus academic and administrative units

Provide educational content on our Web site about demonstrations and protests

Produce educational literature

Activity / Discussion You are working in your office and overhear

students in the hall discussing a demonstration they are planning. The event that they are demonstrating against is being planned and hosted by your area.

What steps will you need to take to ensure the event is successful and students are also given their free speech rights?

Questions? Reed C. Rallojay

• reed@austin.utexas.edu

Susan Buckenmeyer• susan@austin.utexas.edu

Student ActivitiesOffice of the Dean of StudentThe University of Texas at Austin