The free expression of ideas is foundational to learning. It enables meaningful dialogue, helps uncover new viewpoints and can even spark ideas. Protecting free speech is also a Constitutional requirement for public entities like TU. So how does the university support civic expression while maintaining an inclusive campus climate? Read on for the roadmap TU’s following—including what is and isn’t covered by free speech protections and the guidelines for expressive activities on campus.

What freedom of speech covers

The U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment broadly protects the freedom of speech and expression. While there are limited exceptions, even speech that’s considered offensive and hateful has been ruled as protected. According to Supreme Court scholar and assistant professor of political science Jonathan Hensley, the amendment’s broad interpretation recognizes that there are, and always have been, differing opinions on what’s offensive.
 
“One person’s restriction on freedom of speech might be reasonable to some of us and totally unreasonable to others,” says Hensley, who teaches in the College of Liberal Arts. “The solution our legal system adopted is to have broad protections, so you don’t have to have someone deciding what speech is and isn’t allowed.”

People have the right to say things that are offensive; free speech means we have the right to express our disagreement with those offensive statements or ignore them.

Jonathan Hensley

Instead, the federal protections encourage a marketplace of ideas in which citizens decide for themselves what ideas are worth attention and discussion. TU fully supports this freedom with the understanding that exposure to diverse perspectives can be an essential part of the educational experience.
 
“Many of us are bothered by some of the things people say that are protected as free speech, and that’s understandable,” Hensley says. “People have the right to say things that are offensive; free speech also means we have the right to express our disagreement with those offensive statements or ignore them.”

What it doesn’t cover

Speech that contains imminent threats of violence, defamation or unlawful harassment are among the exceptions to First Amendment protections. Courts have also made a clear distinction between freedom of expression and conduct. While expressing views is broadly protected, behavior such as vandalism, trespassing and assault is not. 


“It’s important to remember that we can disagree on ideas without being personally disagreeable toward each other,” Hensley says.

Toward this end, all TU students pledge to uphold the Code of Student Accountability, which contributes to a culture of civility, fairness and responsibility. Faculty and staff also commit to professional conduct through University System of Maryland and TU policies and guidelines.  Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to report hate/bias incidents to the Office of Inclusion and Institutional Equity, which responds to and conducts inquiries into all reports. The Counseling Center is also available to support those affected by hateful or offensive, but protected, speech.

How to exercise your rights

There are numerous ways to discuss meaningful issues on campus. TU’s Office for Social Impact hosts a community conversation series to give students, faculty and staff regular opportunities for dialogue. Their next conversation will be held Dec. 2 and will offer space to reflect on the midterm elections, consider their impact and explore sustained ways to engage in civic life. TU’s Ben and Myrna Cardin Center for Civic Engagement and Civil Discourse also holds student and community-focused programming to help citizens respectfully engage across differences, and the Office of Inclusion and Institutional Equity hosts a Dialogue@TU training series to help the campus community engage in frank conversations with confidence and empathy. 

The point is not to necessarily come to the same conclusion as others but to practice listening, share personal stories and begin to understand the complex histories and experiences that shape our ideas.

Romy Hübler

Citizens also have the right to speak out and demonstrate. Public entities have the right to put reasonable limitations on those demonstrations—often for the safety of those involved. TU’s Time, Place and Manner Policy offers guidelines for expressive activities on campus. It outlines designated demonstration areas for university affiliates and non-affiliates, the process for reserving demonstration space, and guidelines on sound amplification and sign materials to prevent disrupting classes or posing risks to public safety. The guidelines apply to all expressive activities regardless of viewpoint or subject matter. TU encourages members of the campus community to follow the guidelines to express themselves safely and freely.

“We want to create opportunities for meaningful dialogue with people of all viewpoints,” says Romy Hübler, director of the Office for Social Impact. “The point is not to necessarily come to the same conclusion as others but to practice listening, share personal stories and begin to understand the complex histories and experiences that shape our ideas.”

Last modified: Oct. 6, 2026