Freedom of Expression Policy

Background on Freedom of Expression Process

In 2019, a Trump Administration executive order called for colleges receiving federal funds to comply with existing federal law and regulations involving free academic inquiry. While public institutions are expected to uphold the First Amendment, private colleges are expected to comply with their stated and published institutional policies on freedom of speech. As such, the Hood College president and vice president for marketing and communications began work on this document in early 2020, to be posted on the College’s website, referred to in constituent handbooks and manuals, and shared with faculty, staff and students. The document and decision-making process are guided by Hood’s values and consider the interests of all members of the community to determine the best course of action. We will hold true to our mission and values in support of all political viewpoints.

Ongoing working drafts were collaboratively developed among faculty, staff, Student Government Association, the Board of Trustees and administration through 2023. This policy, effective beginning August 1, 2024, will be on the October 2024 agenda for Board endorsement. The College will continue to review and revise this policy and, as necessary, will communicate any changes to the campus community.

Hood College’s Commitment to Free Expression 

 Hood College’s mission is to provide an education that “integrates the liberal arts and the professions, empowering students to use their hearts, minds and hands to address personal, professional and global challenges while leading purposeful lives marked by responsibility, leadership, service and civic engagement.” Constructive exchange of opposing, divergent viewpoints is critical to the learning process and mission fulfillment. It is not the proper role of the College to attempt to shield individuals from ideas and opinions they find unwelcome, disagreeable or even deeply offensive. In the College community, everyone has the right to express, listen and learn with respect for diverse perspectives. We also have a responsibility to consider how our words affect others, to engage with challenging ideas, to maintain civility in discourse, and to act under the premise that speech can indeed harm others. 

Democracy, one of Hood’s core values, is a guiding principle to the free exchange of ideas. Through robust intellectual exchanges, Hood College prepares students to actively participate in democratic processes, which thrive through inclusive participation as well as individual and collective empowerment. The College recognizes that this commitment to free expression is not without parameters. Certain forms of expression fall outside legal protection, do not contribute to the pursuit of truth, and thus are not covered here. These include expressions that constitute true threats or harassment, unjustifiably invade significant privacy or confidentiality interests, or incite imminent lawless action. Additionally, to promote the exchange of ideas and avoid disrupting its educational and business functions, the College may implement content-neutral rules regarding the time, manner and place of expression. This means that the College will enable equivalent access to all viewpoints and will do so in a manner that does not prevent participation in or deny benefits of any educational program or activity at the College. 

The following guidelines were adopted and put in place during the 2024-25 academic year, following a collaborative process. These guidelines are intended to foster free expression reflective of the College’s mission, core values and commitment to inclusivity and belonging, while also clarifying the concrete actions that will be taken to prevent and address harassment. 

Guidelines for Activities, Speakers and Displays

Hood College supports civic engagement and advocates for the active involvement of its community in the democratic process, thus aligning with our mission. The College upholds the belief that civic engagement goes hand in hand with political participation and active involvement in democratic decision-making processes.

The College defines “political” as anything related to governance, public affairs, or the policies and practices that influence societal organization and can touch upon issues such as government, law, public policy, social justice and civic engagement. Additionally, this policy extends to confronting contentious issues—topics that may elicit varied perspectives, impassioned reactions, and vigorous societal discussions.

With this definition in mind, College guidelines for political activities, speakers and displays are as follows:

• All political events must have an on-campus sponsor, defined as a recognized College organization, academic department or administrative office. 
• Individual members of the Hood community can serve as sponsors only through the support of a recognized organization, academic department or administrative office.
• All political events on campus must be approved through the Office of Conference & Events Services (CES) and registered on Pergola Connect. CES reserves the right to determine the location of the event or program.
• Events must be scheduled for the least disruption to classes or other activities on campus. In consultation with other offices, CES will decide, based on the calendar of events, if an event can move forward at the requested time and/or place.
• Events must be free and open to the College community. If a ticketing system is used, tickets must be available to faculty, staff and students and may not be distributed to promote an unequal representation of one viewpoint.
• Determination of whether events are open to the public will be made by the sponsor, in conjunction with CES and campus safety.
• Campus safety will be consulted by CES to determine the need for additional security or parking. The cost for any additional security may be charged to the sponsoring entity. 
• No political fundraising will be allowed, per federal law.
• Any College communications about the event, including campaign literature, announcements and the introduction of the speaker, must include a statement that the viewpoints expressed are not those of Hood College.
• In consultation with administration, campus safety and CES, the College reserves the right to cancel or reschedule an event that may pose a threat to campus or normal business operations of the College.

Additionally, the College may reasonably regulate the time, place and manner of expression to ensure it does not disrupt business or academic activities or prevent participation in or deny benefits of any educational program or activity at the College. 

Guidelines for Political Forums or Debates

The above guidelines apply to political forums or debates. Additionally:

• The forum or debate will not be supported or opposed by the College and Hood will not endorse any candidate for office. Candidates may not campaign on the Hood College campus, except as part of an official appearance or event approved by the College (e.g., candidate debate).
• All candidates, legally recognized by the Board of Elections, for a particular office must be invited, so that equal opportunities for all recognized candidates in the same local, state, or national race are provided.
• The forum or debate will be organized so that questions for candidates are presented by an independent moderator, which may include a Hood student or employee; topics must cover a broad range of issues; and all candidates are given equal time.
• Any College communications about the event, including campaign literature, announcements and the introduction of the speaker, must include a statement that the viewpoints expressed are not those of Hood College and Hood does not support or oppose any candidate for office.

Guidelines for Demonstrations, Protests or Similar Assemblies and Gatherings

As stated above, Hood College is committed to creating a climate of intellectual diversity, dignity and respect free from harassment. Constructive exchange of opposing, divergent viewpoints is part of the learning process and the College’s mission. Therefore, the College ensures that Hood College community members may assemble peacefully, express their ideas freely, and demonstrate their concerns collectively by orderly means; while the College retains the authority to set the time, manner and place of any such assemblies. 

• The sponsoring entity (faculty, staff, student, office or department, or student organization) must register their event*, along with all logistical plans, to CES. If organized by a student or student organization, the event must be registered with the Office of Student Engagement and Orientation prior to the event, in accordance with OSEO guidelines. Following submission of this documentation, the student(s) or student organization(s) and advisor(s) must meet with the Dean of Students to discuss their plan.
• Hood does not seek to censor, marginalize or punish any group or point of view; however, when expressing their viewpoints, demonstrators must include a statement, in writing and/or verbally, that they are expressing their personal viewpoints and the viewpoints expressed are not those of Hood College.
• While the College will remain content-neutral, the College reserves the authority to address any behavior determined to be harassment as defined by Policy Statement 55.
• Members of the Hood community should remain mindful of how they choose to express themselves. Review the College’s inclusive language guide and ask questions if you are unsure whether something might be perceived as offensive or hurtful. The College encourages proactive consultation with the vice president for community and inclusivity and/or the director of inclusive excellence.
• Hood reserves the right to determine time, place and manner of any demonstration or protest; generally, the locations on the Hood campus that can be utilized for demonstrations and protests will be the lawn in front of Meyran, Coblentz and Memorial Halls or the area in front of the Chapel. 
  • Sidewalks and building entryways cannot be blocked to ensure physical safety and compliance with campus safety regulations
  • Because the Pergola traditionally represents a place of unity and peace, demonstrations or protests (even when it is a call for peace) cannot be held inside the Pergola. 
  • Because Alumnae Hall is the administrative face of the College, the front and side entrances and stairs cannot be used; the rear stairs may be used.
  • No demonstrations or protests can occur inside any Hood College building.
  • Demonstrations must not prevent participation in or deny benefits of any education program or activity.
• Posters, flyers and signs must contain documented and sourced facts, may not use the College’s logo or seal, and should follow the College’s posting policy.
• As these activities are designed to inform and educate the Hood Community, and not the public, the event shall not be advertised off campus or in local media (including social media); nor may organizers invite or speak to external media as representatives of the College.
  • Following the event, a press release may be submitted to the Office of Marketing and Communications for distribution. 
  • Individuals from outside the Hood College community shall not be invited to speak or attend without prior approval from senior team.
• The sponsoring organization or individual bears the financial risk and responsibility of any physical display materials and/or communications (including social media)
  • Having one’s opinions contested or criticized is also part of free expression and is a critical part of an educational community.
  • Any dissenting protest must remain at least 10 feet away from the designated display or activity area. Additionally, any dissenting protest must follow the same rules.
• Additional guidelines can be found in the Student Organization Handbook.
• Violation of these guidelines may result in disciplinary action consistent with the student, faculty and staff conduct policies.

* It is understood that some protests are unplanned and come together organically. Behavior must be fully consistent with all the criteria of this policy.

Media Policies

“Incoming inquiries from the media will be referred to the Office of Marketing and Communications. Employees may not represent themselves as spokespersons for the College unless authorized to do so. In the interest of respecting deadlines, College employees with longstanding relationships to media could be contacted directly; however, the content must be related to their discipline when using byline credentials associated with the College. In these cases, employees should immediately notify the marketing office to comply with the College’s media policy.” 

-Adapted from the Hood College Employee Manual Staff Manual, section 402.3

All College student and personnel policies related to standards of personal conduct, unacceptable behaviors and expression also apply to the use of social media. On personal social media accounts, if you identify yourself as a Hood faculty or staff member, you must be clear that you are sharing your personal views and not the views of Hood College. Any employee, student or faculty member managing a Hood College social media account must adhere to all applicable College policies. 

Where language may be unclear or violations and disciplinary action taken, the appropriate code of conduct manual (Student Handbook, Employee Manual or Faculty Code) will supersede or be used in conjunction with this document. This policy will be updated and revised, as needed.