Important information on Expressive Activity at WWU

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Important information on Expressive Activity at WWU

October 2, 2024

With best wishes for the start of another academic year, we--Brad Johnson, Provost & Executive Vice President, and Melynda Huskey, Vice President for Enrollment and Student Services-write to share with you some important and useful information about free expression at Western.

Over the summer, we developed a new resource guide for expressive activity on campus, which we hope will clarify our policies and procedures, and give you all the information you need in one place in order to understand the institution's policies and practice pertaining to expressive activities of all kinds. The Western Washington University Guide to Expressive Activity provides information for planning, participating in, and responding to First Amendment- protected activities on campus. The website also includes FAQs and links to helpful resources.

It is important to note that we did not make changes to our policies over the summer-we've just written a readable guide to the policies we already have, making it easier to find all the information you need in one place.

Some highlights:

• Free speech is protected by the First Amendment. It does not extend to actions that disrupt university operations or violate legal rights, including threats, harassment, and privacy violations.
• Restrictions: The university enforces "time, place, and manner" regulations to ensure that expressive activities do not interfere with the campus environment or operations.
  • Activities allowed 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m., limited to 5 consecutive days
  • No activities in classrooms, offices, maintenance areas, or obstructing traffic
  • Amplification requires advance permission; prohibited from 10:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m.
• Planning is essential: WWU community members are encouraged to plan expressive activities in advance, utilizing campus resources for space reservations, media equipment, and safety planning. WWU community members can plan their activities here: https://www.wwu.edu/plan-your-event
• Designated areas for expression, posting, chalking: Specific locations on campus are designated as "limited public forum areas" for expressive activities, for posting information, and for chalking. All of this information is covered in the Guide.
• Prohibited areas: Expressive activities are not allowed in certain areas, such as classrooms and administrative offices, to maintain the integrity of academic and operational functions.
• Reporting concerns: The guide outlines procedures for addressing disruptive behavior and reporting safety concerns, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a respectful and safe campus environment.

In addition to the new Guide, the university is planning a variety of activities and opportunities to engage in learning and action this quarter.

• The Faculty Senate and Office of Equity will offer a year-long series entitled "Building Community Through Difficult Conversations," including workshops on "Mindset and Communication Skills" and modelled conversations.
• The Centers for Student Access, Community, and Intercultural Engagement and the Munro Institute for Civic Engagement will host a series of panel discussions about major policy issues at play in the November election. The series, Beyond the Surface: Election 2024, begins October 1 at 4pm with a session about being an analytical consumer of news and social media.
• Many departments will be hosting discussions, guest lectures, and learning opportunities over the course of the quarter and year.

A transformative education, a deeper understanding of engagement with place, a caring and supportive environment, and justice and equity in all we do: these are our shared goals. Free expression is fundamental to all of them. We encourage you to engage in the learning and action that make free expression meaningful for yourself and for your communities, including Western.

With great appreciation,

Brad Johnson, Provost and Executive Vice President
Melynda Huskey, Vice President for Enrollment and Student Services