Guidance Regarding Free Expression and Peaceable Assembly at Yale

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.

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:

  1. access to an event or facility may not be blocked
  2. the event and the regular or essential operations of the university may not be disrupted
  3. 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.