Speech and Expression Procedures

  1. 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.

  2. 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 Department of Student Life, Student Government and the sponsoring organization.

  3. The Department 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.
  4. In the case of a speaker representing a controversial issue, the Department 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.

  5. The Department 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.

  6. 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 Executive Vice President and excluding personnel from the Department 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.

    c. Once an appeal is received, a final decision by this committee will be rendered within 10 school days.