Free Expression at Yale
At Yale, we believe that the free exchange of ideas is fundamental to the vibrant intellectual life of our community and foundational to deep academic inquiry. The 1974 Report of the Committee on Freedom of Expression at Yale (“Woodward Report”) represents Yale’s free expression policy.
The university’s guiding document on free expression reminds us that “The primary function of a university is to discover and disseminate knowledge by means of research and teaching. To fulfill this function a free interchange of ideas is necessary not only within its walls but with the world beyond as well. It follows that the university must do everything possible to ensure within it the fullest degree of intellectual freedom. The history of intellectual growth and discovery clearly demonstrates the need for unfettered freedom, the right to think the unthinkable, discuss the unmentionable, and challenge the unchallengeable. To curtail free expression strikes twice at intellectual freedom, for whoever deprives another of the right to state unpopular views necessarily also deprives others of the right to listen to those views.”
The report also reminds us that for free expression to serve its purpose and the purpose of the university, “it should seek to enhance understanding.” The report states, “Shock, hurt, and anger are not consequences to be weighed lightly. No member of the community with a decent respect for others should use, or encourage others to use, slurs and epithets intended to discredit another’s race, ethnic group, religion, or sex. It may sometimes be necessary in a university for civility and mutual respect to be superseded by the need to guarantee free expression. The values superseded are nevertheless important, and every member of the university community should consider them in exercising the fundamental right to free expression.”
Free expression brings many benefits to our academic community, fostering conversation and enabling individuals and groups to give voice to wide-ranging perspectives and ideas. Free expression sometimes has difficult and even painful consequences. As a university community, we work to support members of our community who are negatively affected by such speech and to promote restorative practices.
Yale has developed student codes of conduct in each school and, as overarching university policy, prohibitions against discrimination and harassment that are consistent with federal and state law. Prohibited behaviors under these policies include speech that meets the definition of harassment or discrimination, including threats of violence or, under certain circumstances, threats that constitute intimidation or coercion.
The free exchange of ideas, through open dialogue and open minds, is essential to our goal of excellence in our classrooms, labs, and offices and in all the spaces in which we live, work, and play across the university. In achieving excellence, we must also consider the importance of fostering an environment in which members of our university community can engage with one another openly and feel connected and valued.
The guidelines and resources provided here summarize university policies on expressive activities, provide relevant information to members of the Yale community, and are intended to support the exercise of free expression.