Freedom of Expression and Time, Place and Manner Policy
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About the Policy
It is the policy of San José State University (SJSU or University) to ensure that all members of our campus community are able to fully exercise their constitutional rights to free expression and peaceful assembly. As an institution of higher education, SJSU serves as a physical and virtual forum for the free exchange of ideas through discussion and debate that manifests itself in a variety of forms, including speeches, written materials, rallies, signs, online posts, and artistic representation, among many others.
This Presidential directive provides guidance to our campus community and guests regarding the ways in which they can express their rights through the use of campus facilities — physical and virtual — and other resources, while providing campus community members with guidelines for limiting speech that incites threats to public safety or severely inhibits the educational goals of SJSU.
This directive applies to students, faculty, staff, administrators, student organizations, campus affiliated organizations, and other off-campus guests such as groups or persons while utilizing virtual spaces controlled by SJSU and on campus grounds, including commercial vendors or solicitors as well as contractors, consultants, and service providers.
This directive should not be viewed in isolation, but should be considered together with other federal and state laws, regulations, and CSU policies, which will be noted where applicable in this directive, and can be provided upon request.
Policy Highlights
Full Text of Policy
The Freedom of Expression and Time, Place and Manner Policy is an interim directive for a period of one year beginning on July 1, 2021. This approach will provide a window for testing out new language concerning digital and virtual spaces.
Download the full text of policy
Frequently Asked Questions
