Speech Zones

The discussions and debates that spark student learning happen in the classroom, in student group meetings, on the quad, and basically all over campus.  These debates are important and they need to happen. The free exchange of ideas that helps students learn can sprout spontaneously throughout the day as students live their lives.  Despite this, some campuses have in place restrictions on where free speech can happen – limiting the free exchange of ideas to a certain building, square, or sidewalk.  Restricting speech to these small “speech zones” contradicts the very idea behind free speech.

While it makes sense for a university to make sure that campus activities aren’t so loud they drown out a history seminar and that a late night protest isn’t stopping the freshmen dorms from getting a decent nights sleep, these restrictions on speech often go far beyond what is necessary, and in fact impede the learning process on campus.  Rather than allowing students the opportunity to learn from each other’s speech and opinions outside the classroom, these policies can curb learning opportunities outside of the lecture hall. 

We work with members of the campus community to remove policies that unnecessarily limit where speech can take place. We provide background information, legal advice, and organizing expertise to break the speech zone barrier.