Free Expression on Campus Policy and Procedures

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  1. Purpose
    1. The purpose of this policy is to provide standards for free expression on Davis Technical College (hereafter “College”) campus
  2. References
    1. United States Constitution, Amendment 1, Freedom of Expression and Religion
    2. Utah Constitution, Article 1, Section 15, Freedom of Speech and of the Press
    3. Utah Code Title 53B, Chapter 27 Campus Individual Rights Act.
    4. Utah System of Higher Education Resolution on Freedom of Expression
    5. Davis Technical College Student Code of Conduct Policy
    6. Davis Technical College Abusive Conduct Policy (Personnel)
    7. Davis Technical College Disciplinary Action Policy and Procedure (Personnel)
  3. Definitions
    1. Free Expression - All forms of verbal, written, or symbolic communication, including peaceful assembly, protests, speaking verbally, holding signs, circulating petitions, and distributing written materials. This does not include speech or conduct that is not recognized as protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and Article 1, Section 15 of the Utah Constitution, including speech or conduct that is a true threat, fraudulent, harassment, obscene, defamatory, or otherwise unlawful.
  4. General Rights of Free Expression on Campus
    1. The College upholds and promotes free expression on campus. Except as limited by regulations consistent with the law and this rule:
      1. All faculty, students, and staff have the right to express views and ideas and are free to criticize, contest, and condemn views expressed on campus, and
      2. Neither the faculty, staff, nor students may obstruct, disrupt, suppress or otherwise interfere with the freedom of others to express views
    2. The College’s outdoor areas are a traditional public forum.
    3. The College may not prohibit:
      1. A member of the College’s community or the public from spontaneously and contemporaneously assembling in outdoor areas of the College’s campus; or
      2. A person from freely engaging in non-commercial expressive activity in outdoor areas of the College’s campus if the person’s conduct is lawful.
  5. Time, Place and Manner Restrictions
    1. The College may reasonably regulate the time, place, and manner of free expression to ensure that it does not disrupt the ordinary activities of the College. This includes established procedures for engaging in organized speech activities, such as protest marches or invited speakers.
    2. These exceptions to the principle of freedom of expression must be viewpoint neutral, generally content neutral, narrowly tailored, and leave ample opportunity for alternative means for expression, in order to protect the College’s interests. It is vitally important that the College will not use these exceptions in a manner that is inconsistent with the College’s commitment to free and open discussion of ideas. 
Policy migration in progress

Davis Tech is in the process of migrating our policies from PDF to HTML format to conform to Title II (ADA) requirements. During this transition period, the latest approved version of the policy is available (below) in pdf format, but may contain ADA Compliance errors.

Printable PDF

Effective Date: 25 September 2025

  • Approvals and Notes
  • Board Approval: 25 September 2025
  • Expanded President’s Council Approval: 8 September 2025
  • President’s Council Approval: 4 August 2025