Policy on Demonstrations and Free Expression

Relevant Excerpt

Wellesley is a community of learners. As such, we recognize and affirm that freedom of expression and free intellectual inquiry and debate are vital to our academic mission and must be protected, even when the views expressed are unpopular or controversial.

Freedom of expression on the Wellesley College campus necessitates the ability of students, faculty, and staff to engage in peaceful protests and demonstrations. Freedom of expression does not include the right to engage in conduct that threatens safety, suppresses others’ right to speech, or disrupts the education of Wellesley students.

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To ensure that demonstrations do not threaten the safety of others, suppress others’ right to speech, or disrupt the education of students, Wellesley College community members (current students, faculty, and staff) are expected to notify the College via the Office of the Dean of Students, the Office of the Provost, or the Office of Human Resources two days in advance of the demonstration, if possible.1 The College will respond to the demonstration organizers with respect to reasonable time, place, and manner considerations within 24 hours of notification.

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1 There may be circumstances in which it is not possible to meet this expectation, for example in the case of a spontaneous demonstration or a demonstration held in response to an unanticipated event. In such cases, organizers are responsible for ensuring that the demonstration is in compliance with all the other provisions of this policy and for contacting the College as soon as possible.