Conduct at Speech Events

The University strives to create an environment in which the broadest range of ideas may be presented, examined, and debated. Individuals and groups often sponsor events where speakers from within or outside the University present their views and ideas. The University has established guidelines to promote free expression and robust exchange of ideas in an atmosphere of mutual respect for the rights of those who wish to speak, those who wish to hear, and those who wish to protest against the ideas expressed. While the right to dissent is a complement of the right to speak, these rights need not occupy the same forum at the same time. A dissenter must not substantially interfere with a speaker’s ability to communicate or the audience’s ability to hear and see the speaker. Dissent outside an event must not impede the access to or departure from the meeting or interfere with communication inside. Picketing, distributing literature, silent or symbolic protest or responding vocally to a speaker generally is acceptable if they do not interfere with the speaker’s ability to speak or the audience to hear. Force or violence, threatened or real, is never permitted. The official University policy, Policy Statement #96, “Conduct at Speech Events,” can be found at www.legal.uncc.edu/policies/ps-96.html.