Update: Sept. 19, 10:20 a.m.
Lazier said Cal State campuses were directed to send out this exact systemwide message. The President’s email included the system’s Freedom of Expression homepage, indirectly linking to the Cal State time, place and manner policy and each campus’s policies.
The President’s Office issued an email annoucement Wednesday morning supporting new Cal State regulations to on-campus free speech activities.
The university holds a “special obligation” to “actively encourage” students to voice their opinions “even where they may be unpopular and controversial,” according to the email.
However, the email emphasizes that protected free speech must be lawful – an aspect also in line with their obligations as an institution of higher education.
“Freedom of expression, however, is not an absolute right,” stated the email. “It coexists with other rights, the CSU educational mission, and the need for public order and safety.”
The email contains an informational video for students with an overview on this policy.
This announcement is a requirement from the state budget agreement, mandating Cal State universities to send out “campus climate notifications” complete with campus-specific policies, the student code of conduct and nondiscrimination policy before the fall 2024 academic term.
The President’s Office email does not link to Cal Poly’s new time, place and manner policy or the new Cal State policy. Both policies are linked on the Office of the Dean of Students’ Freedom of Speech guide.
The Chancellor’s Office sent universities a template for this announcement, Cal State spokesperson Hazel Kelly said in an email to Mustang News.
In this email to Cal Poly students, the President’s Office details the system’s student code of conduct process, announces the new Cal State Freedom of Expression homepage and provides campus-specific mental health resources for those facing hardship from free speech activities.
The Cal State student conduct process specifies standard procedures for conduct violations and lists possible sanctions for violators.
“Student behavior that is not consistent with the Student Conduct Code is addressed through an educational process that is designed to promote safety and good citizenship and, when necessary, impose appropriate sanctions,” according to the announcement.
These sanctions include loss of financial aid, restrictions on educational activities and club participation and denied access to campus, among many others. Punishment for code violations may involve multiple sanctions.
Cal Poly employees also received a similar email, university spokesperson Matt Lazier said in an email to Mustang News. The announcement to employees does include the university’s policy and the Cal State policy but stresses that the new regulations affect non-union represented employees only.
“The university’s existing time, place and manner policy will continue to apply to represented employees until bargaining is complete for the interim time, place and manner policy and campus addendum,” stated the email to employees.
The announcement to students ends with well wishes for a “vibrant and productive” school year to come. The email is signed off by Mildred García, the Cal State Chancellor, and all the Cal State presidents.