Professor’s Firing Opens Debate on Free Speech and Safe Spaces on College Campuses

These public or open fora areas are available subject to this permitting requirement on a first-come, first-served basis, and University buildings, grounds or property may not be used by individuals or organizations not connected with the university, with the exception of the use of these traditional public or open fora areas for free expression as set forth above, and of course all forms of constitutionally unprotected speech, such as fighting words, libel, and obscenity are prohibited at all times. Students and registered student organizations and members of the public at large do not need prior approval concerning the content or distribution of such materials as leaflets and handbills in the public or traditional open fora. The director of the Center for Campus Life may impose restriction on the time, place and manner for distribution of printed material in the public forum areas only on the basis of safety or blocking of access to teaching, study, or learning.   The materials, however, may not conflict with applicable local, state, and federal laws but may be distributed by nonregistered student organizations or nonstudents, faculty or staff so long as fewer than 25 people are involved.