UIC open expression and public statements policy available for feedback
The draft policies (the proposed updates to the open expression policy and proposed new policy for public statements) are available for faculty, staff and student feedback online through Friday, Sept. 6.
Open expression policy
The current open expression policy has been in place since May 2018. An update was needed to ensure that it effectively supports a culture of open inquiry and respects the rights and responsibilities of all community members.
The updated policy:
- Requires students, faculty and staff to apply for a reservation to schedule an open expression event 48 hours in advance, a noted reduction from the previous requirement of seven days.
- Places limits on time, place and manner, requiring that events be scheduled during daylight hours with no overnight demonstrations or encampments.
- Does not apply to union activities.
- Does not impact any faculty member’s academic freedom.
Public statements policy
A new public statement policy upholds constitutionally protected free speech, clarifies the distinction between an institutional statement and a statement made by an institutional entity, and outlines the appropriate use of university resources for public statements.
The new policy:
- Encourages institutional entities to share a public statement issued by the president or chancellor rather than issue its own.
- Requires the development of a process that will be consistently followed by any institutional entity wishing to issue a public statement.
- Requires institutional entities wishing to issue a public statement to include an explicit disclaimer stating that it does not represent the University of Illinois Chicago.
This policy does not address statements made by individual members of UIC on their own behalf. UIC fully supports academic freedom and individuals’ constitutional right to express their personal opinions on political or social issues. This policy ensures that all public statements align with the university’s mission, uphold its values and reflect its commitment to respectful and inclusive dialogue.