Student Affairs

Freedom of Expression

Missouri State University is a comprehensive metropolitan university with a special mission in Public Affairs. It is a university that values diversity, intellectual dialogue and free speech. It is a university that promotes its values widely and makes these values known publicly through the Undergraduate Catalog and Graduate Catalog as well as a number of websites that include:

For student issues, a number of relevant sections from these documents are presented on this page to help the reader conveniently find and be aware of our institutional policies on freedom of expression. It is also important to know that a mechanism exists to allow a student to raise concerns including free speech, censorship, restrictive perspectives, or abuse of intellectual authority. Simply stated, a student with an academic concern should express that concern to the faculty member. If the issue is not resolved, the student should immediately share that concern with the department head in an effort to reach a resolution. If resolution at this level is not successful, the student should then present his/her concern to the Dean of the appropriate college. If the issue remains unresolved, the student may take the concern to the Office of the Provost where it can be reviewed by the Provost or Associate Provost, depending on the nature of the academic concern. A student may always contact the Student Ombudsman or the Office of Equity and Diversity for assistance. Faculty and staff may also refer to the appropriate information and citations contained in this document and the documents listed above.

Specific citations from referenced documents appear in the following sections for your convenience.

Declaration of Community Principles

Preamble: A University is a community whose common purpose is the creation, preservation, and sharing of knowledge.

Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities

1.2: Federal and State constitutional guarantees of free inquiry, expression, and assembly are specifically restated as guarantees on this campus.

1.3: Students are free to pursue their educational goals and to have appropriate opportunities for learning in the classroom and on the campus as shall be provided by the University.

1.6: Discussion and expression of all views relevant to the subject matter is permitted in the classroom subject only to the responsibility of the instructor to maintain order and a climate conducive to learning, within the stated goals and purposes of the University.

1.7: All students shall have the right to be protected from prejudiced academic evaluations unrelated to academic performance based on the student’s views, opinions, political associations, organizational memberships, or the instructor’s biases based on the character of the student.　Furthermore, all students shall have the right to appeal a grade to the instructor, the department head, the college dean, and the Provost.　All grade remedies under other existing policies shall be protected under this Code.

1.8: Discussion and expression not inconsistent with the laws of the State and the United States, and in the manner, time, and place prescribed by University policy, are permitted within the institution…　

1.9: The University encourages expression of informative and differing viewpoints on issues and will support the presence on the campus of responsible persons representing various views…　

Expressive Activity Policy

Missouri State University is committed to providing an environment where issues can be openly discussed and explored. The freedom to exchange views is essential to the mission of the University. This policy is in place to provide a community environment in which open discussion can occur without disrupting the academic mission or daily University functions, subject to constitutional time, place, and manner limitations and without unconstitutionally interfering with the rights of other members of the University community.

The limits to free expression include: Expression that is obscene, defamatory, or consists of fighting words, threats of physical harm, inciteful (sic) of imminent lawless action or otherwise not entitled to protection…

Further, the use of violence or violation of law or University policy is counter to creating an environment where issues can be openly discussed. An individual or group wishing to protest an event is subject to the same standards as the presenters. Individuals who choose to listen bear the responsibility of recognizing and honoring the right to free speech.

Due Process

A University is a community with a broad based constituency and the opportunity for divergent opinions. As such, there is a possibility for conflict and disagreement. Due process is carefully identified in each respective policy to allow for the thoughtful and appropriate resolution to the disagreement or conflict. This process allows for civil discussion and various levels of appeal to individuals with the authority and responsibility for reaching a decision on issues.