After a year filled with significant protests, Wake Forest University shared a draft statement on freedom of expression and academic freedom. The draft, posted on February 11, marks the culmination of work that began in July.
The university’s Provost, Michelle Gillespie, put together a team of eight faculty and staff to create this statement. Their goal is to provide a clear, shared framework around free expression at Wake Forest.
This draft follows new regulations implemented in August concerning speech and expression. These changes came after a pro-Palestine protest last spring, which turned into a longer encampment. The new policy outlines specific rules about when and where demonstrations can take place on campus.
Matthew Clifford, the vice president of campus life and dean of students, emphasized the importance of having a documented approach to free expression. He noted that while free speech has always been valued at Wake Forest, a unified statement can help clarify protections and responsibilities for everyone in the community.
The Wake Forest community can give feedback on the draft using a form on the university website.
The draft highlights the school’s history of supporting open discussion and debate. Wake Forest has previously defended the right to protest during pivotal moments like the Civil Rights movement and allowed controversial speakers on campus in the past.
The university is committed to upholding freedom of expression while also setting boundaries. The draft states that Wake Forest can limit speech that poses a threat, involves harassment, or breaks the law. It also has the right to manage the time, place, and manner of expressions to maintain campus operations.
Moreover, the statement clarifies that while the university will not endorse a single viewpoint on public issues unrelated to its primary mission, it supports the idea that community members can express their own opinions.
Alongside the draft, the university provided a preamble detailing the context and historical background. This includes explanations for the key points made in the statement.
The drafting team met with various campus leadership groups from September to October to gather early feedback. From February to March, Wake Forest plans to host discussions about the draft statement, fostering a space for exchange of ideas and feedback.
On Founders Day, February 20, Dean Andrew Klein will address the topics of free expression and academic freedom. The goal, as the university stated, is to initiate a meaningful conversation about what these concepts mean at Wake Forest.
Editor’s note: Matthew Clifford provided comments on behalf of the drafting committee. More updates will follow as this story develops.
