Visitors and community members are welcome on the CMU campuses and must follow the same guidelines as our CMU Campus Community Members regarding free speech and civil discourse. Commercial speech, speech or writing on behalf of a business with the intent of earning revenue or a profit, is not allowed on campus.
At Colorado Mesa University, freedom of expression is vital to our shared goal of the pursuit of knowledge, as is the right of all members of the community to explore new ideas and learn from one another. To preserve an environment of spirited and open debate, we should all have the opportunity to contribute to intellectual exchanges and participate fully in the life of the University.
The ideas of different members of the University community will frequently conflict, and we do not attempt to shield people from ideas that they may find unwelcome, disagreeable, or even offensive. Nor, as a general rule, does the University intervene to enforce social standards of civility.
Members of the community do not need to register in order to speak on a CMU campus. The rights of free speech and peaceful assembly, as enumerated in the Constitution of the United States, shall be upheld and protected by Colorado Mesa University. The University affirms the rights of students and others to assemble on the University campus for peaceful rallies, demonstrations, and gatherings. In support of this effort, the University will make reasonable accommodations regarding the manner in which persons may exercise their rights to free speech to assure the orderly operation and safety of the campus community.
Restrictions
There are, however, some circumstances in which behavior so violates our community's standards that formal University intervention may be appropriate.
The University may restrict expression if it:
- Violates the law
- Falsely defames a specific individual
- Constitutes a genuine threat or harassment
- Unjustifiably invades substantial privacy or confidentiality interests
- Is otherwise directly incompatible with the functioning of the University
In the exercise of free speech, the rights and privileges of all persons shall be respected and there will be no tolerance for activities that endanger the health or safety of the campus community, visitors, or guests. Additionally, such demonstrations must not unreasonably disrupt the normal conduct of University operations, impair the learning environment or endanger University property or persons.
In the event safety or disruption becomes an issue for the University, its students, staff, and/or faculty, or the individual or organization(s) involved in free speech activities, this policy does not limit or constrain the University or law enforcement authorities to maintain and protect public safety, as established in law, including moving such demonstrations to a reasonably central campus location that may mitigate safety issues or disruptions to the learning environment.”
Time, Place and Manner
The University may reasonably regulate the time, place, and manner of expression to ensure that it does not disrupt the ordinary activities of the University.