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Cornell University

Expressive Activity at Cornell

We are a community whose very purpose is the pursuit of knowledge. We value free and open inquiry and expression—tenets that underlie academic freedom—even of ideas some may consider wrong or offensive. Inherent in this commitment is the corollary freedom to engage in reasoned opposition to messages to which one objects.

Cornell University Core Values

 

Expressive Activity Policy

Cornell’s Expressive Activity Policy serves as overarching guidance and regulation on expressive activity throughout the university, establishing content-neutral time, place, and manner rules that support free expression while ensuring a safe and operational environment to live, work, and learn. This policy extends to all Cornell campuses, including the Ithaca campus, Cornell AgriTech, Cornell Tech, Weill Cornell Medicine, and affiliated campuses, offices, or extensions.

The policy is grounded in a set of six core principles:

  1. Open inquiry and freedom of expression are core values of Cornell.
  2. Freedom of expression is not limitless and may come into tension with another of Cornell’s core values.
  3. Expressive activities are governed by the same rules and regulations as non-expressive activities.
  1. Disruptive activity should be limited in areas of campus that serve special purposes.
  2. Community input can support university leaders in balancing freedom of expression with other values.
  3. Content and viewpoint neutrality is essential for the university’s administration of time, place, and manner rules.

 

What does the policy cover?

The policy establishes guidelines to allow for freedom of expression by current members of the Cornell community (students, faculty, and staff) while ensuring the general welfare and well-being of the Cornell community. Here are key highlights of what the policy addresses:

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Interruptions of speakers or events

“Interruptions … that interfere with the speech or expression of others is prohibited.”

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Use of university space and financial resources

“Use of university spaces for activities, including expressive activities, is limited to members of the Cornell campus community.”

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Postering, signs, and chalking

“Deans or other unit heads should designate locations appropriate for postering and signage … in the facilities under their purview.”

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Camping

“Prior registration … is required to help ensure that camping is limited to Cornell community members and to set a durational limit … to allow for others’ uses of space.”

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Applicable law

“Federal, state, and local laws can sometimes be more restrictive than Cornell’s rules, and … this policy does not relieve participants from their other legal obligations.”

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Considerations for special settings on campus

“There are certain settings where expressive activity that is visually or audibly disruptive to non-participants … is either prohibited completely, limited, or given special consideration.”

Further Reading

Explore a selection of texts that helped inform the development of the Expressive Activity policy.