Freedom of expression is a foundational guiding principle for an enduring democracy and is core to the mission of higher education. Today, universities across the country confront the challenge of maintaining a commitment to freedom of expression and inquiry while working to provide an inclusive and nondiscriminatory learning and living environment for all students, as well as a welcoming and supportive environment for faculty and staff.

The Free Speech Committees were charged in February 2019 with developing a clear, consistent institutional voice and policies for Boston University on this issue. The committees worked through fall 2019 to gather and incorporate feedback from the University community. They presented a proposed statement on free speech and expression to the University Council in spring 2020, which was approved. The statement was ratified on October 27, 2020 by the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees.

Read the statement