Freedom of Expression Committee

What We Do

The Freedom of Expression Committee was established by the Faculty Senate in May, 2017. The committee is charged with creating opportunities for meaningful dialogue among campus constituencies and addressing issues around freedom of expression as they arise. In keeping with this charge the committee functions to:

students in classroom

Create programming and educational resources

The Committee works proactively with all relevant campus entities invested in freedom of expression to create dialogues around the concept of free expression, its relationship to other central DU values, and University policy. The Committee also works with experts on and off campus to create educational materials about the responsible practice of free expression on campus.

DU chancellor speaks at lectern

Consult with and advise senior leadership

The committee provides insight, advice and, when needed, critical feedback to senior leadership on issues regarding freedom of expression on campus.

DU Building Community event

Help to plan events

As members of the campus community plan debates, demonstrations, visits from potentially controversial speakers, and other events wherein issues of freedom of expression may arise, the Committee advises community members and organizations on ways to design events so as to respect the values of free expression and inclusion. The Committee also serves as a response team, committed to helping address issues of free expression in real time.

commttee meeting in boardroom

Review and report

The Committee reviews submitted requests regarding incidents where freedom of expression has allegedly been unjustifiably curtailed or that expression has been practiced in ways that diminish or conflict with other DU values. When appropriate, it issues Advisory Reports on these incidents to the campus bodies charged with dealing with them.

aerial view of DU campus

Committee Members

Faculty Senate President (Co-Chair) 
Faculty Director of Free Expression and Civil Discourse Initiatives (Co-Chair) 
Immediate Past/Incoming President of Faculty Senate 
Staff Senate President 
Staff Senate Vice President 
Faculty of Color Association (FOCA) Representative 
Staff of Color Association (SOCA) Representative 
Graduate Student Government President 
Undergraduate Student Government President 
Provost 
VC of DEI 
VC of Student Affairs 
Faculty scholar of Freedom of Expression/First Amendment 
Programming Specialist for Freedom of Expression and Civil Discourse Initiatives

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What does the FOE Committee do and how does that align with its basic charge?

    The FOE committee exists as an educational and advisory entity that works in both proactive and reactive ways to address issues of freedom of expression on DU's campus. It creates programs and events that allow for open dialogues and respectful discourse, communicate with the campus community regarding issues surrounding freedom of expression, and provide assistance to the University in addressing issues that arise.

    The FOE Committee cannot and will not prohibit events from taking place or place any restrictions upon them. However, if the committee feels an event has violated freedom of speech it will advise the appropriate University officials accordingly.

  • What is the FOE Committee's presence at events? How does it determine which events to attend? What function does the FOE committee representative serve?

    Each academic year FOE committee members will attend various events around campus to learn about the particularities of the DU Freedom of Expression ecosystem and learn more about Freedom of Expression in practice on our campus. A member of the Freedom of Expression committee will be present as an unbiased observer at any event that meets one or more of the following criteria:

    • An event that has been identified by an internal department as being contentious or possibly limiting to free expression.
    • An event that the committee has been requested to attend.
    • An event that is already causing tension or begging the question of censorship of or misuse of free expression.
    • Any event that has the potential to violate DU's code of conduct.
    • Any events planned as a response or counter to a contentious event on campus.
    • Any events surrounding the topic of freedom of expression.

    Following an event, the FOE committee members in attendance report back to the committee to address any concerns about the nature of the event. In keeping with its third function the committee will provide assistance to University leadership in assessing issues of freedom of expression.

    The committee's goal in attending events is to learn more about the campus culture surrounding freedom for expression and to grow as a resource and advisory committee.

  • How does the FOE Committee respond to events that have caused concern? What criteria are used?

    There are multiple ways that the FOE Committee may respond to events. These include direct email response to sponsoring individual(s), meeting with individuals regarding an issue, issuing public statements to the University as a whole, and hosting open forums or group discussions. Much like choosing the events we will attend, the committee will issue a response under the following criteria:

    • If a DU department, organization, or individual has specifically requested a response.
    • If an event is deemed particularly inflammatory or in violation of DU's values. See DU’s Honor Code.
    • If there is sufficient evidence that an individual or group's right to freedom of speech has been limited or violated.

    The FOE Committee does not respond to concerns regarding expression in the classroom or communication between faculty and students regarding classroom content or conduct unless it becomes a public platform (i.e. the instructor has invited non-enrolled attendees). We do not monitor classroom activity as it is protected by academic freedom provisions. See section 1.1, page 5 of the Guidelines for Appointment, Promotion, and Tenure.

  • How do I contact the Freedom of Expression Committee?

    We ask that you email the committee co-chairs at dean.saitta@du.edu and/or derigan.silver@du.edu. We look forward to hearing from you.

  • What is the Freedom of Expression Principles and Policy?

    "The University of Denver Statement of Policy and Principles on Freedom of Expression” was approved by the Faculty Senate in May 2017. Nothing in this description of FOE Committee activities is meant to supersede, substitute for, or conflict with policies and procedures contained within the University's Appointment, Promotion, and Tenure (APT) document or that have already been established by the offices of Human Resources and Inclusive Community, Student Affairs and Inclusive Excellence, Equal Opportunity & Title IX, or any other office on campus.

 

Additional Resources