To the 嘿嘿视频 Community:
With the new academic year starting, I want to focus on a topic that is increasingly at the forefront of campus life: freedom of expression. It鈥檚 one of our university鈥檚 core values and vital to our higher education mission. The right to express our opinions and points of view is both an opportunity and a challenge.
The limits of free speech are being tested at college campuses and in communities across the country, with increasingly heated and divisive debates. 嘿嘿视频 and our surrounding communities are no exception. We see it in almost all public spaces 鈥 online, on campus and in city meeting rooms. Yet, we cannot close off our campus to people and views we disagree with. We cannot isolate ourselves from words that are hurtful, mean-spirited or offensive.
As a reminder, prevents the restriction of speech with very few exceptions, including criminal threats and incitement to violence, and obscenity. Universities like ours must uphold the right of students, faculty, staff and others to express their views, even those many of us might find abhorrent or hateful. A public university cannot prohibit someone from speaking on campus based on that person鈥檚 viewpoint or the content of their message, and at 嘿嘿视频, we haven鈥檛 turned away any speaker from our campus based on their viewpoints.
Numerous benefits
Free speech is the cornerstone of a democratic society. It gives us the right to criticize our leaders and rally for change when we disagree with laws or policies. Free speech allows people from oppressed and marginalized communities to have a voice. Think about how freedom of expression has been used in recent critical moments in our country to bring change, including the Civil Rights Movement, the struggle for migrant farm workers, LGBTQ+ rights, equality for women, veterans鈥 rights, disability rights, Black Lives Matter and more. We still need voices heard in all of those areas.
Central to learning
College campuses, especially within the University of California, have played a central role in the evolution of freedom of expression. Students, faculty and staff have been central to debating and protesting some of our nation鈥檚 most hotly contested issues. By participating in this cornerstone democratic activity, we further develop critical thinking skills to identify disinformation and discern ideas that contribute to the advancement of truth.
Differing viewpoints
I know that for many in our community, it鈥檚 difficult to accept that free speech protections also extend to those with abhorrent views. The term 鈥渉ate speech鈥 is not defined by law, and no such category exists as an exception to the First Amendment. That means even hateful and offensive speech is protected by the First Amendment.
Let me be clear: Just because one has a right to say and do something, it doesn鈥檛 mean it鈥檚 right or that anyone has to agree with it. When freedom of expression turns hateful or encourages violence, it goes against our , which call for us to recognize different perspectives and commit ourselves to non-violent exchange and the highest standards of conduct.
I鈥檝e heard from students, faculty, staff and others that not everyone feels comfortable or safe expressing their personal viewpoints in classrooms or public spaces on campus. That includes Jewish students, people of color and those in the LGBTQIA+ community. We can do better. The best learning environment is one that encourages us to listen to and examine different viewpoints, and respectfully disagree when we do. Our Principles of Community can help us find ways to express our opinions while still respecting diversity and inviting inclusion.
I ask each of you to think about how you might commit to supporting a meaningful and constructive exchange of ideas. We can start by actively listening to one another, even when we find ourselves disagreeing about contentious issues. Each of us plays a role in creating and pursuing a respectful learning environment. Each of us is responsible for embodying our Principles of Community.
Hate-Free Together initiative
We have endured some ugly incidents of hate speech on campus and in our community targeting those who are Black, Asian American, Jewish, Muslim, disabled, LGBTQIA+ and more. I have condemned each of these incidents, and I will continue to stand up for all members of our community. Hateful speech and incidents are distressing for everyone, especially for those of us who are personally targeted by racist, antisemitic or other hateful words and behaviors.
That鈥檚 why we partnered with the City of Davis and Yolo County on an initiative called Hate-Free Together. It鈥檚 based on our very successful Healthy Davis Together model, which we implemented jointly to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. This time, hate is the virus we鈥檙e trying to eradicate. The Hate-Free Together team is planning a series of community workshops for 2024, along with a new website with resources and information. The input from our community will help us consider how to prevent hate incidents and how to respond should an incident occur.
Resources
嘿嘿视频 has resources to help students, faculty and staff cope with the discomfort that the free and open exchange of ideas can bring:
- provides student-centered mental health services, advocacy, outreach and consultation to promote psychological well-being and academic success.
- The provides high quality, confidential counseling services for all levels of the 嘿嘿视频 and 嘿嘿视频 Health System staff in a safe and supportive environment using highly skilled clinicians.
- The is a confidential, independent, impartial and informal problem-solving and conflict management resource for all members of the 嘿嘿视频, 嘿嘿视频 Health and UC ANR communities.
- The is available to help in instances where discrimination or harassment based on a protected category such as race, religion or gender identity creates a hostile learning or work environment.
For students interested in learning more about engaging in self-expression on campus, please visit the website.
Learn more
Freedom of expression is an important topic and one that I鈥檝e discussed before, in a video message and . I encourage you to learn more about free speech and civic engagement. The University of California is a leader on these issues, and in 2017 created the to consider how to restore trust in the value of free speech on college campuses. You can find additional information and resources on its website.
Freedom of expression is the very fabric that makes a university a unique place to grow and thrive. If we express our viewpoints in a manner that鈥檚 consistent with our Principles of Community and we allow ourselves to listen, we can learn from each other. Diversity of perspectives makes us stronger. Let鈥檚 keep this in mind as the year progresses.
We are all Aggies.
Sincerely,
Gary S. May
Chancellor