Cal Poly and Freedom of Speech

Free Speech and First Amendment rights are at the core of Cal Poly's identity as an American university. Cal Poly strives to create and maintain a campus environment that supports free speech and open inquiry for all.

This campus does not practice censorship or impose bans on speech or expression. Indeed, the university places among its top priorities establishing conditions that foster open inquiry. Cal Poly ascribes to the principles expressed by the American Association of University Professors regarding open expression. The university's faculty handbook states in its Code of Ethics: "As citizens engaged in a profession that depends upon freedom for its health and integrity, professors have a particular obligation to promote conditions of free inquiry and to further public understanding of academic freedom."

Through its policies, the university seeks to foster and sustain a learning environment that includes the free, civil and orderly exchange of ideas, values and opinions. Because of this, the campus hosts a variety of speakers throughout the year. Speaker series and forums sponsored by Student Affairs, student clubs and the university's various colleges and departments continually present authors, satirists, activists, historians and others with opinions representing a full spectrum of thought and speech. Speakers address politics, religion, social justice, and other areas of interest to the campus community.

Previous speakers have included:

Cal Poly provides many other venues for freedom of expression, such as rallies, impromptu speeches in public areas, and public bulletin boards throughout campus.

The University sponsors and supports a wealth of student clubs, including student political groups. For more information on the wide variety of student clubs and groups at Cal Poly, visit:

http://129.65.208.139/ClubList/clubs/CluballClubs.php

The Cal Poly Free Expression policy is available for viewing at
http://policy.calpoly.edu/cap/100/cap140.htm.