Northeastern University supports its students, faculty, and staff in the peaceful and orderly expression of views related to issues, action, events, or opinions, including those about which there may be disagreement. Northeastern has long maintained processes and protocols for approving and conducting campus events, including demonstrations, to protect the safety and security of those members of the university community who participate in them as well as the rights of others to study and work without unreasonable disruption. Northeastern students, faculty, or staff who seek to demonstrate on university property or in connection with a university event must comply with all applicable university policies; protocols established by the Center for Student Involvement and/or individual campuses or facilities, as applicable; and directions issued by university officials (including Northeastern University Police Department officers and other public safety officers acting on behalf of the university). Those who violate these requirements will be subject to disciplinary processes and may jeopardize their right to remain in the university community. Persons who are not Northeastern students, faculty, or staff are prohibited from participating in demonstrations on university property or facilities, even if invited to do so by a student, faculty, or staff member. Such persons will be considered trespassers.
Statement on Free Expression
A foundational principle of Northeastern University is that a global, multicultural, diverse, and inclusive community is vital to learning, discovery, and innovation at the highest levels of human endeavor. As an institution of higher learning, Northeastern has a responsibility to foster a community that protects and supports free expression, welcomes open dialogue on critical issues, and maintains an inclusive educational environment where diverse views can be safely expressed and debated by community members in an atmosphere of civility and mutual respect.
Northeastern is a place for its community members to engage in open discourse on conflicting and diverse views and/or ideas, including those that others may find unwelcome, controversial, disagreeable, or even offensive. In the spirit of free expression, the university encourages professional, scholarly, and respectful debate and critical thinking regarding differing views. In this way, the university enhances and increases opportunities for learning and expanding thought perspectives through experience and engagement with those whose opinions and experiences differ from our own. This statement on free expression is neither intended to contravene Northeastern’s longstanding policy regarding academic freedom nor imply acceptance of discrimination on the basis of protected categories or other forms of communication or action that violate university policy.