Yale has a deep history of fostering expressive activity. As an academic institution dedicated to free inquiry and the search for truth, the university is committed to free expression. These guidelines summarize university policies, provide relevant information to students, and are intended to promote the exercise of free expression and the safety and security of all members of the university community.
Academic Year 2023-2024
To limit the spread of COVID-19 and promote the health and safety of all community members, students involved in expressive activity in 2023–24 must follow the Yale Community Compact, and any guidance and protocols, including limits to the number of participants, social distancing, face covering, and other behavioral requirements.
Yale University Free Expression Policy Guidance
As an academic institution dedicated to free inquiry and the search for truth, the university is committed to free expression. In 1975, Yale adopted the Report of the Committee on Freedom of Expression at Yale (the Woodward Report ) as providing the standard for university policy. These guidelines are intended to promote the exercise of free expression and the safety and security of all members of the university community.
When Yale or its members host speakers, the speakers are free to express their views, even if their views are unpopular or controversial. The right of free expression also includes the right to peaceful dissent. Peaceful dissent does not include the right to disrupt an event. Dissenting members of the community may peacefully protest and express disagreement, but they may not interfere with a speaker’s ability to speak or attendees’ ability to attend and listen. Additionally, peaceful dissenters may not interfere with classes or other university activities or operations. Keep in mind that invited speakers do not represent the university’s views.
The right to protest or express disagreement with a speaker is subject to three general conditions:
- access to an event or facility may not be blocked
- the event and the regular or essential operations of the university may not be disrupted
- the safety of those attending the event and other members of the community may not be compromised.
The following constitute examples of conduct that disrupts or interferes with university events or operations, blocks access to university facilities, restricts others’ ability to listen or be heard, or creates safety concerns, and is therefore not permitted:
- Holding up signs in a manner that obstructs the view of those attempting to watch an event or speaker
- Speaking from a bullhorn, shouting, or playing amplified music or noise from audio sources in a manner that interferes with speakers’ ability to be heard and of community members opportunity to listen, or disrupts or interferes with classes or other university activities
- Standing up in an assembly in a way that obstructs the view of those attempting to watch an event or speaker and/or blocking the aisles or routes of egress
- Sitting in or otherwise occupying a building in a way that blocks access or otherwise interferes with university events or operations
- Trespassing by remaining in buildings when told to leave or remaining in spaces after hours when they are otherwise closed to the Yale community
University administrators and safety/security personnel may be present at a protest to ensure that the event proceeds in a way that is consistent with the university’s policy on free expression.
Free Expression Disruption Notice Protocol:
Before the Event Begins: As an administrator responsible for this event, I remind you that Yale is committed to protecting free expression and peaceful dissent. Interfering with a speaker’s ability to speak and the audience’s ability to hear and see is not consistent with the university’s free expression policy.
After Any Disruption: As I have already informed you, preventing others from hearing or seeing the speaker is not permitted. I am informing you that you are in violation of the university’s free expression policy, and any disruption must stop immediately. I will give you one more warning momentarily. If the disruption does not stop, you will be subject to possible disciplinary sanctions, citation, and summons.
Final Warning: I will now call upon university administrators and security personnel to assist in allowing this event to proceed without further disruption.
Procedures Regarding Use of Spaces for Free Expression
Please refer to COVID-19 Events & Gatherings for guidance on how to apply for use of a campus space during the pandemic.
Political Campaign Activity
The university encourages students to engage in the political process for the sake of contributing to civic debate and to enhance their education. However, because federal law prohibits tax-exempt educational institutions from participating in campaigns on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office, the university has issued political campaign activity guidelines to the community. Students wishing to participate in political campaign activity should refer to the published guidelines and related FAQs.