Freedom of Speech and Expressive Activities

Freedom of Speech and Expressive Activities

The freedom of speech and assembly guaranteed by the first and fourteenth amendments to the United States Constitution shall be enjoyed by the students of Lamar State College Port Arthur. Assembly and distribution of written material is permitted in the Stilwell Plaza in front of the Gates Memorial Library during normal college operating hours as long as the activity is not unlawful and does not disrupt the functioning of the College. Free discussion of subjects of political, religious, controversial or noncontroversial nature shall not be curtailed. Written material, signs, posters, etc. may be freely distributed in this area, but it may not be permanently placed or left behind.

If a registered campus organization or student group is sponsoring an assembly or outside speaker in the Stilwell Plaza, it has the responsibility of making clear the fact that the group/organization, not the College, is extending the invitation to speak and that any views the speaker may express are the speaker's own and not those of the Texas State University System or of the College. The general public and off-campus speakers may conduct expressive activities in the Stilwell Plaza during normal college hours.

There is no absolute right to assemble, distribute or post written material, make or hear a speech or issue invitations to outside speaker(s) in other campus locations without approval from the Dean of Student Services.

“Antisemitism” means a certain perception of Jews that may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. The term includes rhetorical and physical acts of antisemitism directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals or their property or toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.

Any violation of this policy is a breach of conduct and will subject any student or group to disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion from the College.