After months of discussion and controversy, the Emory University Senate’s Committee for Open Expression drafted a new Respect for Open Expression Policy. The proposal advocates for strengthening the First Amendment standard, which would clarify what speech is allowed on campus, ensure the free speech rights of the Emory community and help the University “resist” groups that attempt to “stifle speech.”
The current open expression policy already endorses the First Amendment standard. However, the new policy differs in that it “more explicitly affirms the University’s ability to restrict expression when necessary to avoid interference with the normal functioning of the University,” according to a memo the senate sent to University President Gregory Fenves on Jan. 21. Additionally, the new policy would require the University to hire an independent consultant to create a report within 60 days of arrests and remove the requirement to consult the Open Expression Committee chair before any arrests.
The new policy also includes that temporary structures on University property are permitted unless they violate the law or “substantially interfere” with the rights of Emory community members or the University’s normal functions. The policy also makes clear that building takeovers are not permitted.
University Senate President-elect Noëlle McAfee said the senate will discuss the new policy and possibly amend it during their next meeting on Jan. 28 before voting on it in the coming months. She added that if the senate approves the new policy, it will be sent to Fenves, who can choose to accept, reject or alter the proposal.
This comes after a year defined by tense discussions about open expression. Last year, police arrested 28 protestors and tased at least one person while shutting down a pro-Palestinian encampment on the Quadrangle. At the beginning of the fall 2024 semester, Fenves codified a new addendum explicitly stating that the current Respect for Open Expression Policy did not permit encampments, igniting controversy on campus.
University Senate President George Shepherd said that the open expression committee has worked on the new policy for several weeks, and McAfee added that she was “very proud” of the group’s work.
“I hope that this could be a good example of shared governance with the administration too, that we can work something out that satisfies the administration and any concerns that they might have,” Shepherd said.
