Campus Climate
Overview
The University supports the notion of a “marketplace of ideas,” where speech that a person disagrees with is met with more speech that encourages engagement and debate. Such discourse is a core tenet of the First Amendment and is fostered by the University.
Case Study - University of Minnesota Twin Cities: Campus Murals
Case Study - Georgetown University: Historical Oppression
Case Study - Yale University: Renaming of a College
Case Study - Pierce College: Free Speech Zone
The Law
All colleges and universities that receive federal funding are responsible for ensuring that their campuses are free of discrimination and harassment. The two most significant federal statutes regulating speech in higher education are Title VI and Title IX, which prevent discrimination on the basis of race and sex, respectively. [from PEN website]
What is Title VI?
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. Title VI states that:
No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.
Our Principles
Stony Brook University:
- Engages in how physical barriers, historical traditions, inequities, prejudices, and power dynamics can impact a culture of openness and will address the aforementioned barriers for the benefit of all.
- Is committed to creating a community that will engage in open and respectful discourse predicated on the presumption of respect for differences, including differences of view that cause disagreement.
- Expects its community members to understand the difference between intent and impact, i.e. to understand what may cause offense and why, and to avoid such words and actions, even if no offense is intended.
- Understands that the duty of care involved in understanding different perspectives and learning to anticipate where offense might be caused is heightened for administrators and faculty when they are carrying out institutional duties.
- Will not tolerate and condemn violence, threats, and harassment. The University acknowledges that vociferous, adamant, and even disrespectful arguments and protest have their place.
- Believes that it is fundamental to the achievement of community among the members of the University is the recognition by all such members that each shares a responsibility to observe University policies. College is a time for students to grow and engage in new ideas that may result in robust debates resulting in testing boundaries and experimenting with forms of speech and activism. Violations of the Code of Student Responsibility and other policies governing student conduct will be addressed and violators will be held accountable commensurate to their actions and sanctions will, whenever possible, be geared towards the possibility of learning and future improvement.
- Is required to protect all critical statements, even the ridicule of individuals, that are still largely protected by the U.S. Constitution. The law under the First Amendment is clear – Stony Brook University cannot exclude speakers on this basis. If the campus believed that a speaker was going to engage in speech that was directed at an individual and not protected by the FirstAmendment – such as by repeating statements that had been found to be defamatory or by revealing publicly very private facts about an individual – the University would do all that it could to prevent this and to protect the person.
- Will ensure equitable space and opportunities for diverse political perspectives and thoughts.