Freedom of Expression and Civil Discourse
Information
A First Amendment guide and resources for the campus community
As a public institution, UW-Parkside is committed to protecting and promoting Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression as enumerated in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and Article I of the Wisconsin Constitution. Campus community members have a right to hear diverse perspectives and viewpoints and to express their own.
While the First Amendment protects the right to express one’s views, it allows the university to place reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions on that expression.
The following UW System and UW-Parkside policies outline these reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions:
Regent Policy: Document 4-21 Commitment to Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression
UW System: Chapter 17 Student Non-Academic Misconduct
UW System: Chapter 18 Conduct on University Lands
UW System: Chapter 21 Use of University Facilities
AUDIENCE BEHAVIOR GUIDELINES
The University of Wisconsin-Parkside embraces the principles of free speech and the resulting free exchange of ideas. To ensure that the speaker can be heard, the audience can hear and see, and the event is safe, the following guidelines have been set by the UW-Parkside administration in accordance with the Wisconsin administrative code:
Audience members must remain seated.
All isles, exits and passageways must be kept clear.
No sticks or standards.
No signs supported by sticks or stand shall be permitted in any assembly in a university building.
No visual obstructions.
No activities or signs that block the view of the audience shall be permitted.
Verbal and sound demonstration limitations.
Noise levels that impede the program’s process or the audience’s ability to hear shall not be permitted.
Objects may not be thrown.
The throwing of any objects will not be tolerated.
Force or violence notification.
Behavior or threats of behavior that impinge on the safety of others and/or endanger University property shall not be permitted.
An individual or a group of individuals who violate these guidelines of the Wisconsin administrative code will be removed and subject to arrest.
The University appreciates your cooperation.
Peaceful protesting resources
Attending a Protest (ACLU)
Tips for Protesting Peacefully and Safely (Human Rights Campaign)
Dignity and Respect
The Dignity & Respect message is designed to help us have respectful interactions with others. The D&R initiative is to help:
- Understand how we see ourselves, how we see others, and how our filters guide our behavior toward others.
- Respond to others in a culturally appropriate manner and work through differences together.
- Understand how our interactions with and perceptions of others influence our decisions in the workplace.
- Understand our role in making organizations better places for ALL to work—with all of our diferences.
- Attract and retain diverse students, faculty, and staff.
What Can You Do?
START WITH YOU
Self-Awareness is the first step toward becoming a Champion. Understand that our filters guide how we see ourselves and others.
SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF
Understand the concepts of intent vs. impact. Become mindful of how you respond to others and be responsible for your words and actions.
BUILD CULTURAL AWARENESS
Respond to others in a culturally appropriate manner. Treat others the way they want to be treated.
FIND COMMON GROUND
Work through differences and gain agreement, while maintaining dignity and respect. Acknowledge the value of different perspectives.
JOIN THE TEAM
Create interactions on teams that are respectful of individual differences, build trust, limit bias and favoritism, and strive for the best overall outcomes.
LEAD THE WAY
Make inclusion, dignity, and respect a part of your day-to-day practices.
DO THE RIGHT THING
Do your part to make your organization, school, community and sports team a better place for all to work, learn, live and play.
Dignity and respect are crucial to building and sustaining a climate in which everyone feels included, valued and appreciated. Every voice counts. Be part of the positive change. Here are 30 Tips of Dignity and Respect, practice one each day:
- Start with you
- Sweat the small stuff
- Smile
- Say “Hello”
- Say “Thank you”
- Build cultural awareness
- Treat others the way they want to be treated
- Ask
- Make a new friend
- Demonstrate mutual respect
- Find common ground
- Communicate respectfully
- Practice patience
- Seek understanding
- Share your point of view
- Join the team
- Get someone else’s point of view
- Be open
- Be flexible
- Reinvent the wheel
- Be a relationship builder
- Lead the way
- Listen
- Remember we all make mistakes
- Do the right thing
- Become a mentor
- Lend a hand
- Live a healthy life
- Be a champion of dignity and respect