13.08 Speakers and Programs On-Campus

It is the policy of the Board, expressed through the institutions of higher education under its control, to permit students and staff to hear diverse points of view from speakers and programs sponsored by recognized student, faculty, and employee organizations. This policy is entirely consistent with the aims of higher education. It is designed to emphasize that in a democratic society all citizens have not only the right, but the obligation to inform themselves on issues of contemporary concern including politics, religion, ethics, and morals. Therefore, the Regents approve the following procedure for effectuating this policy:

I. Administration. The president or a committee designated by the president, shall be responsible for the administration of this policy on a particular campus.

II. Restrictions. In sponsoring campus speakers and programs, recognized faculty, student, and employee organizations must comply with institutional rules on the reservation of rooms in advance, the posting of notices, and the payment of rental charges when applicable and such other rules as the institution prescribes for the use of its buildings to avoid any interference with the regular program of the institution.

III. Conduct of Meetings. Whenever considered appropriate in furtherance of educational objectives, the president or the campus committee may require that at any particular meeting:

1. Any speaker be subject to questions from the audience.
2. The meeting be chaired by a tenured member of the faculty.

IV. Sponsorship of Meeting. In order to encourage the presentation of diverse points of view on any issue, the president or the campus committee may at any particular meeting, or from time to time, sponsor, or encourage recognized campus groups to sponsor, additional speakers or programs that will contribute to the full and frank discussion of such issue. (Board of Regents Minutes, October 21-24, 1964, p. 158)

Regents' Procedural Guide, 6.12, pp. VI-24-25, May 18, 1995