Dear Hoyas,
We hope that Spring Break was a restful or fruitful time for you. As you return to campus and public health conditions continue to improve, there will be more opportunities to engage with your peers, faculty and staff and the broader D.C. community through events and gatherings.
Our Speech and Expression Policy guides our efforts to ensure the thoughtful exchange of ideas and information and posits that the remedy for extreme or offensive ideas is not less speech, but more speech. Our policy prohibits obstructing or otherwise interfering with the freedom of others to express their views. Please keep in mind these important aspects of the Policy when participating in events or exercising free expression:
- Freedom of speech and expression takes many forms, from the views you espouse in classrooms, to the flyers posted in community spaces, to the guests who are invited to speak on campus. If you have questions about guidelines, first consult the policy.
- Dissent is recognized as an important aspect of debate, discussion and learning. Expressing dissent in various formats is encouraged, but time, place and manner restrictions exist to limit disruption to regular university business.
- On our Hilltop campus, Red Square is uniquely located as a public forum expressly designed for the impromptu and ongoing expression of ideas and viewpoints by members of our campus community. All members of the community can expect to encounter a true marketplace of ideas in this central campus place.
- The freedom to debate and discuss the merits of competing ideas does not mean that individuals may say whatever they wish, wherever they wish. The University prohibits expression that violates the law, falsely defames a specific individual, constitutes a genuine threat, violates the University’s Harassment Policy, or unjustifiably invades substantial privacy or confidentiality interests.
We are also acutely aware of the ways that social media channels can either bring our community together or serve as a vehicle for bullying and disrespect. We encourage all community members to be conscious of choices you make on social media, to treat others how you would like to be treated and to take care in what you post on social media channels even when you believe it to be private or anonymous.
Treating others with respect and understanding extends to our public health policies. With the University’s announcement that we will be transitioning to a mask-optional policy effective March 21 if our campus positivity rate remains low, we encourage mutual respect and civility as members of our community make the personal decision whether to wear a mask based upon unique personal considerations.
Georgetown is committed to free speech, whether in the classroom, in other spaces on campus, or online, even when that speech may be controversial or objectionable, but we do not tolerate harassment or bullying in violation of university policies. If you observe an incident you believe to be motivated by bias or hate, you should file a report through the online Bias Related Incident Reporting form, or by calling GUPD at (202) 687-4343.
I wish you many rich conversations in the weeks ahead.
Sincerely,
Jeanne F. Lord, Ed.D.
Interim Vice President for Student Affairs, Dean of Students