Statement on Freedom of Expression
Because Franklin & Marshall College is committed to the ideal of free and open inquiry
in all matters, it extends to all members of the College community the broadest possible
latitude to express themselves freely and to challenge the views of others. The College
vigorously values the creation and maintenance of a climate in which all members of
the College community are welcomed and are encouraged to participate in the free expression
of ideas. Inasmuch as the spark of truth often comes forth only after the clash of
differing opinions, we view freedom of expression as highly valuable because it encourages
multiple opinions, allows them to coalesce and/or clash, and opens them to the community’s
reflections. Indeed, fostering the capacity of the College community to engage in critical discourse
and deliberation in an effective, responsible and respectful manner is an essential
part of the College’s educational mission. Of course, the ideas of different members
of the College community will often and quite naturally conflict. But it is not the
proper role of the College to attempt to shield individuals from ideas and opinions
they find unwelcome, disagreeable, uncivil or even deeply offensive. Rather, members
of the College community should be encouraged to act according to the principle that
the best response to ideas that they find offensive is speech, not censorship. This
approach encourages members of the College community to express their views freely,
and freely to take issue with views with which they disagree. The freedom to debate and discuss the merits of competing ideas does not, of course,
mean that individuals may say whatever they wish, wherever they wish. We have obligations
to protect the dignity and security of all members of the College community from those
who would seek to use speech primarily to deprive others of their freedom to learn,
their freedom to contribute, and their freedom to participate in our community. Thus,
the College may seek to restrict expression that violates state or federal law or
College policies on nondiscrimination; that constitutes slander, threats, or harassment;
or that is directly incompatible with the functioning of the College (e.g., expression
that violates privacy or confidentiality interests). In addition, the College may
reasonably regulate the time, place and manner of expression to ensure that it does
not disrupt the ordinary activities of the College (see Section VII.H). But these
are limited exceptions to the general principle of freedom of expression, and it is
vitally important that these exceptions not be used in a manner that is inconsistent
with the College’s ideals relating to the free and open discussion of ideas. In short, the College holds the core principle that debate or deliberation should
not be suppressed because of the ideas put forth. We support a climate of inclusiveness
in which all members are encouraged to contest vigorously the ideas and the speech
that they oppose. Moreover, in order to foster the climate of inclusiveness that
is most conducive to freedom of expression in the pursuit of knowledge, the College
aspires to the following: