Freedom of Expression at F&M
Overview
At Franklin & Marshall College, we are Diplomats who champion free expression. In and out of the classroom, we cultivate the skills to develop and articulate our own ideas, and ensure others feel equally empowered to share their voices. Explore our statement on freedom of expression and the policies and resources that reinforce our dedication to these fundamental principles.
F&M’s Statement on Freedom of Expression
This statement of principle articulates Franklin & Marshall College's ideals relating to freedom of expression, respect for the opinions of members of the College community, and freedom from harassment and intimidation. It expresses the College’s commitment to these core values, was developed by the Faculty with input from the administration and was approved for inclusion in the Faculty Handbook by the Board of Trustees on February 11, 2017. It is a statement of principle and aspiration that may inform policy, but in and of itself does not constitute policy.
Commitment to Constructive Dialogue
An F&M education is not just about classroom learning; it is about preparing us all
to handle real-world challenges with creativity and intellect. Throughout their F&M
experience, students have ongoing opportunities to practice communication, conflict
resolution, and mutual understanding and cooperation. Toward this aim, F&M has adopted
the Constructive Dialogue Institute (CDI) program as an essential tool for our community.
CDI provides online programs and resources that teach key concepts from psychology
to explain our differences in beliefs, worldviews, and values. Beginning in 2024,
all first-year students are required to take the CDI program called Perspectives as
part of their orientation program. We are pleased to also offer this tool for all
students, faculty, and staff to learn research-backed principles and skills to help
us navigate challenging conversations with confidence, respect, and sensibility.
Approach to Institutional Statements and Community-Wide Messages
At F&M, we strive to foster a campus environment where free expression and intellectual
exploration thrive. As an educational institution, we believe that our role is to
provide an environment that can hold diverse viewpoints rather than to take institutional
stances on social, political, or cultural matters that do not directly affect the
College’s mission or operations.
Plurality of views and the free exchange of ideas are the foundation of the liberal
arts. Healthy discourse – and even passionate disagreement – contribute to an academic
culture of inquiry and greater understanding. We will always embrace human rights
and human value. Beyond those bedrock principles, however, the institution’s role
is not to endorse or criticize ideas, but to provide an environment that allows for
diverse opinions and lived experiences, and cultivates a sense of belonging for all.
Scholars and students deserve to be able to pursue knowledge, engage in open dialogue,
express their perspectives, and challenge one another’s ideas without the influence
of an overarching institutional position.
For these reasons, issuing institutional statements on external issues risks compromising
our commitment to allowing all voices to be heard. Occasionally, external circumstances
may impact the College’s mission, operations or community in ways that will warrant
a message from leadership. Otherwise, it is not the voices of college leaders that
matter, but the voices of F&M’s scholars, researchers and educators, and the students
we are preparing to be the next generation of leaders.
This approach to institutional statements not only upholds our commitment to free
expression but also strengthens our dedication to promoting a truly inclusive and
dynamic learning community.
Our Differences Are Our Strength
We bring together people of all backgrounds and encourage them to share their diverse perspectives, values and ideas. In this way, our unwavering commitment to freedom of expression is directly intertwined with our dedication to inclusivity and belonging; together, they form the foundation of our liberal arts mission.