St. John’s University is committed to standards promoting speech
and expression that foster the responsible exchange of ideas and
opinions which enables the pursuit of knowledge and truth. As
embodied in the University’s Mission Statement, “We commit
ourselves to academic excellence and the pursuit of wisdom which
flows from free inquiry, religious values, and human
experience.”
All members of the St. John’s University community which
includes students, faculty, staff and administrators enjoy the
right to freedom of speech and expression that is consistent with
the University Mission and its Catholic character and Vincentian
tradition. St. John’s seeks to foster an environment of global
harmony and the incorporation of diverse perspectives. As is true
with the society at large, this freedom is subject to reasonable
parameters of time, place, and manner and compatibility with the
Mission of the University.
The right of free speech and expression does not include
unlawful activity or activity that endangers or threatens to
endanger the safety of any member of the University community or
any of the University’s physical facilities, or any activity that
disrupts or obstructs the functions of the University or
immediately threatens such disruption or obstruction.
As stated in the University’s Mission Statement, “We embrace the
Judaeo-Christian ideas of respect for the rights and dignity of
every person and each individual’s responsibility for the world in
which we live.” Expression that is indecent or is obscene or
grossly offensive on matters such as race, ethnicity, religion or
gender is inconsistent with accepted norms of conduct at the
University.
Although St. John’s University supports the responsible exchange
of discourse and the expression of ideas and opinions, the use of
the University forum shall not imply acceptance or endorsement by
the University of the views expressed. If the rights of any member
of the University have been violated and/or he/she has experienced
a direct conflict with the above stated policy, he/she may file a
grievance with the Office of Student Life on his/her campus.
St. John’s University has established the following procedures
to assist members of the University community in interpreting the
Speech and Expression policy.
Procedures
- Sponsoring student organizations are requested to state on
promotional materials that the opinions expressed do not
necessarily represent the opinions and/or beliefs of St. John’s
University.
- When it is deemed necessary to staff the event or speaker with
additional security to insure the safety of all those present, the
cost for additional security may be the responsibility of the
sponsoring student organization. This determination will be made
cooperatively by the Office of Student Life, Student Government and
the sponsoring organization.
- The Office of Student Life reserves the right to request the
sponsoring student organization to provide reference materials for
a proposed speaker. The sole purpose of these references is to
insure that the speaker responsibly represents the subject on which
he or she is to speak. Student Life may also request reviews or
tapes of prior performances.
- In the case of a speaker representing a controversial issue,
the Office of Student Life may require, as a condition of approval,
that an opposing viewpoint be represented. This may take the form
of a debate which will be facilitated by an appropriate faculty
and/or student moderator.
- The Office of Student Life reserves the right to cancel,
postpone or deny the appearance of a speaker or performer. This
determination will be based upon any concern for public safety or
the belief that the speaker will be in violation of established
University policies or will deal with matters that are inconsistent
with the University Mission and its Catholic character and
Vincentian tradition.
- The sponsoring student organization may appeal the decision
made to cancel the event by the following process:
a. A written request for reconsideration must be submitted to the
Chief Student Affairs Officer within three school days of the
initial decision.
b. The request will be considered by the Speaker Appeals Board.
This board on each campus will be comprised of one administrator,
appointed by the Senior Vice President and excluding personnel from
the Office of Student Life, two full-time tenured faculty members
and two students. The chairperson of the Speaker Appeals Board will
be elected by members of the board. The remainder of the membership
of this board will be elected each Fall by the faculty and student
government of each campus.
Once an appeal is received, a final decision by this committee
will be rendered within ten school days