Student expression, rights and responsibilities should be grounded in a shared public trust. We hope this site will encourage you to move toward positive, educational use of those rights and responsibilities.
Student Expression, Rights and Responsibility
The Center for Student Engagement and ASUN created this website to underscore both the power and fragility of free speech and the role you as a student play in ensuring its responsible use on our campus and within our democracy.
Public forum preamble
This University has always created an environment for raising challenging questions and the discussion of significant issues. There is perhaps none more significant that the challenge and issue of free speech. A function of free speech is to invite dispute which can result in unrest, anger, and dissatisfaction. It is in this light that the University has traditionally understood the First Amendment's application to our campus. Of all social institutions, the University should be the most friendly toward and protective of the right of free expression.
For over one hundred years the University of Nevada, Reno has followed the traditions of college campuses in this country by designating public forum areas on campus. We have interpreted law and policy in a broad and flexible manner so as to allow all views to be expressed while continuing to carry on the mission of learning, research, and service. The public forum policy now reflects the long time practices of this University. It was, in fact, developed in full consultation with student, faculty and staff whose ideas are reflected in this document. The ability to craft a policy that is open and inclusive while taking into consideration such a diverse set of views, is a testament to the value of what is taught, learned and practiced at the University of Nevada, Reno. (UAM Section 5,303)
We would like to thank UC Davis for letting us adopt content from their website.