Message From Pres. Cantwell: Upholding Free Speech, Ensuring Safety at USU

Editor's note: The following message was emailed to all USU students, faculty and staff on April 30.

Dear University Community,

As a modern land-grant university, Utah State University fosters discourse and engagement that enhances our communities and furthers the pursuit of knowledge. Our classrooms provide vibrant spaces for learning, discussion, and the exchange of ideas, and our outdoor spaces provide a forum for demonstrations, protests, and other lawful expressive activities. These are the pillars of a healthy and thriving democratic society, and we must do all we can to safeguard them.

At the same time, USU is committed to the rights of our campus community to work, learn, and participate in university activities without disruption and free from discrimination. While USU supports the rights of all members of our campus community to peaceably assemble and engage in lawful expressive activities, these activities must remain lawful and not interfere with the operations and learning environment at USU.

For this reason, USU imposes appropriate content-neutral restrictions for how, where, and when such expressive activities can occur. These restrictions include limitations on sound amplification, prohibiting overnight events, and prohibiting demonstrations in areas that block or interfere with the ability of other community members to access university buildings and facilities or participate in university programs and activities.

More information about USU’s free speech policies, including guidance for those seeking to respectfully exercise their free speech can be found at usu.edu/freespeech.

As we strive to provide a model of constructive public dialogue, we ask that all members of our campus community show respect for each other and the diverse viewpoints and life experiences of our campus community. We discourage derogatory rhetoric about specific ethnic groups and will not tolerate unlawful harassment. We encourage individuals to report any threats or unlawful activity immediately to USU Police at 435-797-1939.

Our moral imperative at USU is to create an environment where all members of our community can maintain individual ethics while promoting open, informed, and compassionate dialogue. Our shared Principles of Community reflect this imperative.

Thank you for your dedication to these values. Our job as a community is to ensure that USU continues to deliver on its mission of excellence, access, and inclusion and to ensure the university remains a hallmark of curiosity and freedom.

Warm regards,

Elizabeth R. Cantwell