About

Introduction:

UNC Charlotte respects freedom of speech and expression and encourages constructive dialogue among the members of our community. Free expression is part of the Guiding Commitments we list in our Shaping What’s Next Strategic Plan. Integrity and Respect: Ensuring the highest academic, professional, and ethical standards and a collegial culture that embraces different perspectives, civil discourse, and free expression through which all University members are treated with respect, fairness, and dignity.

Some basic facts about free speech and expression on campus include:

  • UNC Charlotte shall make no policy abridging the freedom of speech
  • We can never discriminate on the basis of speech content or viewpoint.
  • It’s not our responsibility to shield individuals from the speech of others.

From the Report of the Committee on Freedom of Expression, University of Chicago, 2015, which has been endorsed by hundreds of universities across the United States, “It is not the proper role of any constituent institution to shield individuals from speech protected by the First Amendment, including, without limitation, ideas and opinions they find unwelcome, disagreeable, or even deeply offensive.”

This website:

The Free Expression website is sponsored by the Free Expression and Constructive Dialogue Task Force, which was established by the Faculty Council in September 2022 and whose charge is:

  • Submit a proposal (including budget) for programming beginning in 2023 that engages faculty, students, libraries, readings, programs, visuals and possibly an outside speaker.
  • Draft a resolution to be brought forward to the Faculty Council to consider in spring 2023.

The Task Force’s goals include:

  • To build a group of faculty and students who can facilitate informal conversations on controversial issues across campus
  • To equip UNC Charlotte students with the skills to engage in positive, constructive dialogue with those who have differing viewpoints both while they are on-campus and once they graduate.

Legal Affairs website:

For additional information on free speech and expression, consult the Legal Affairs Free Speech website.