About Free Speech
Higher education institutions have historically served as free speech sites where communities debate.
We recognize that our care of free speech spaces, our students, and our community have become increasingly complex, and this is threatening the fabric of connection, learning, and education we are attempting to weave.
Though challenging, we continue—and will continue—to embrace this responsibility, constantly working to foster a safe environment where the free exchange of ideas and concepts can occur. It is in this spirit that we created this Free Speech website to inform and educate our community about everyone's right and responsibility in regard to free speech.
To our faculty, staff, students, and community members, please note that there are reasonable limits on free speech rights. Seattle Colleges will enforce those limits in the interest of maintaining order for educational and professional purposes. Seattle Colleges reserves the discretion to set time, place, and manner, in accordance with Seattle Colleges' policies and procedures. Seattle Colleges' position and thoughts on free speech remain dynamic and subject to evolution.
Principles and Background
Below you'll find information about:
- The principles informing our approach to free speech
- An explanation and the legal elements of the First Amendment
We have adopted these key concepts in determining our approach and response.
- Seattle Colleges supports free speech.
- Peaceful, lawful protests are a form of free speech protected by the First Amendment and are vital to public discourse.
- Students and employees maintain their First Amendment rights within a school's jurisdiction, while officials retain authority to maintain a safe and effective environment.
- The expression of free speech must follow the law and college policies.
- The expression of free speech must not disrupt another’s right to pursue their education.
(Seattle Colleges reserves the discretion to set time, place, and manner, in accordance with Seattle Colleges' policies and procedures.)
The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Resources:
- The official website of the U.S. Congress offers Constitution Annotated, a website that provides analysis and interpretation of the U.S. Constitution. On that website, the First Amendment is fully explained.
- The Federal Judiciary offers a resource site, What Does Free Speech Mean? The site details what rights are and are not included in freedom of speech. This resource was created by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts for use in educational activities.
About This Website
Collectively, these webpages aggregate our values, positions, procedures, and processes related to free speech.
- Seattle Colleges' Policies on free speech
- Local, state, and federal laws regarding free speech
- Academic freedom and freedom of speech information
- Ways to practice free speech on our campuses
- Who to contact for more information.
You're also invited to visit our “Where We Stand” website. This website offers our positions on current issues, such as our support for Jewish, Muslim, and LGBTQIA communities.