Communications
Freedom of Expression, Political Activity, Discriminatory Speech, and Academic Freedom
This section of the College Handbook addresses core values of the institution with regard to the free expression of ideas, a central pillar of education. It outlines the institution’s policies on free expression in terms of: demonstrations, issues related to political activity, and the distinction between the value of free expression and the abuse of that freedom through discriminatory, intentionally hurtful speech. Finally, the section highlights Carleton’s commitment to academic freedom.
Freedom of Expression
A. Demonstrations
Support of any cause by demonstration or other orderly means, including picketing and other forms of peaceful protest, is permitted on College premises so long as it does not disrupt the operation of the College; jeopardize its legal status; interfere with entrances to and exits from College facilities; interrupt classes; interfere with other normal day-to-day activities of the College; cause damage to property; or threaten or endanger the health, wellbeing, or safety of oneself or any person on College property[1].
The College may call upon local law enforcement bodies to remedy violations covered by this paragraph. In addition, the College may choose to impose its own disciplinary sanctions. Disciplinary measures for such violations will be handled in consultation with the President of the College by the respective vice president: the Vice President of Student Life and Dean of Students for students; the Vice President and Treasurer for staff members; and the Provost for matters related to the faculty.
B. Free expression in scheduled learning spaces (See also Academic Freedom)
Discussion and expression of all views relevant to the subject matter are permitted in the classroom, subject only to the responsibility of the instructors to their course. It is expected that they will exercise that responsibility with reason and restraint and within the confines of academic freedom for students and faculty alike.
C. Campus Events
Students, groups, and campus organizations may invite and hear any person of their own choosing, subject only to the requirements for the use of College facilities.
No individual or group may prevent or attempt to prevent a student from interviewing on campus with any graduate or professional school or other legal employer desiring to recruit at the College.
D. Political Activity
College employees are entitled to freely participate in political activity around an election process when not acting as an agent of or fulfilling professional responsibilities to the College. However, the College, due to its tax-exempt status, is prohibited from engaging in certain types of political activity. It is particularly important that we are thoughtful about these issues during an election season. The ramifications of engaging in prohibited election activity include loss of the College’s tax-exempt status. Please note that this policy does not apply to established student groups, such as the College Democrats and Republicans, who may use institutional facilities for partisan political purposes.
Whether an educational institution has engaged in prohibited political activity depends on all of the particular facts and circumstances. For example, while it has been considered permissible to sponsor a forum to educate voters, no preference for or against a particular candidate may be shown by the College. Candidates may speak on campus so long as all legally qualified candidates are provided access on an equal basis. Non-partisan voter registration drives have also been deemed acceptable.
Employees may not use College resources, including e-mail, computers, telephones, fax, or photocopying equipment, to work for or endorse a candidate, political party, or political action committee. The College may not “participate” or “intervene” in a campaign of any candidate for public office; endorse, expressly or implicitly, a candidate for public office; sponsor events to advance the candidacy of a particular candidate; invite employees to candidate events; publish ratings of candidates; or comment on actions, statements, or positions taken by candidates.
Again, utilization of Carleton resources is prohibited, as are public statements by officials where there is a risk that the statement could be attributed to the College.
The IRS has released guidance to tax exempt organizations regarding the facts and circumstances it considers when deciding whether a charitable organization has engaged in prohibited political activity in Revenue Ruling 2007-41.
If you have any questions or concerns about this policy, please contact the Office of the Vice President and Treasurer.
E. Discriminatory speech[2]
As noted above, Carleton College is committed to the principle of free expression and exploration of ideas in an atmosphere of civility and mutual respect. The College therefore also embraces the related principle that all members of its community shall have access to its educational facilities, activities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, veteran status, actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, status with regard to public assistance, disability, or age. These principles guide the College’s relationships with individuals and should guide the interactions of all members of the community.
While the nature of an academic community is to provide a milieu for the expression, criticism and discussion (and for the tolerance) of the widest range of opinions, it does not provide a license for bigotry in the form of demeaning, discriminatory speech or actions. Thus, the presentation of a reasoned or evidenced claim about a societal group that offends members of that group is to be distinguished from a gratuitous denigrating claim about, or addressed to, an individual or group such as those enumerated above. The former is bona fide academic behavior while the latter may demean, degrade or victimize in a discriminatory manner and, if so, undermines the above principles.
A possible breach of the foregoing principles may be reported through the Community Concern Form or brought to the attention of the appropriate College office: the Dean of Students Office, the Office of the Vice President and Treasurer, or the Provost’s Office, if the party responsible is, respectively, a student, a staff member, or a faculty member. Any member of the community may also bring a concern to the Vice President for Inclusion, Equity, and Community. Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which protects people from discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance, the College has a responsibility to investigate any concern.
Discriminatory speech and actions are especially abhorrent when they are made anonymously, for anonymity precludes the possibility of an exchange and exploration of ideas; moreover, such an anonymous message by the very nature of its delivery is a threat to the recipient. Discrimination by one person against another is also particularly abhorrent when the first person is in a position of power with respect to the second, whether in the academic, administrative, political, or social hierarchy on the campus.
Although this policy attempts to eliminate certain behavior and actions on the campus, Carleton cannot guarantee that the environment will always be comfortable for all the members of the community. Often, the educational process is disturbing and unsettling; when one’s ideas are under attack and one’s values are being challenged, the effect may be simultaneously painful and highly educational. Thus, behavior that is disturbing or unsettling to an individual or group is not necessarily discriminatory. In this regard, it is imperative that faculty and students be able to take controversial positions without fear, in accordance with the principle of academic freedom.
Students, faculty, and staff of Carleton College are asked to support this anti-discrimination policy through participation in discussions about it. The College will facilitate this by providing educational opportunities and forums for such discussions to take place and by making it possible for students, faculty, and staff to attend them. The College will actively encourage the discussion of issues raised by the policy in appropriate classes, meetings, symposia, and college publications.
F. Academic Freedom
Carleton College fully supports the principles of Academic Freedom. Please see the “Statement on Academic Freedom” in the Faculty Handbook under “Appointments and Tenure” and the Community Standards Policy (i.D. Academic Freedom).
- This language is consistent with language in Community Standards: See II. Student Conduct: Expectations, Rules, and Regulations.
- See also the College’s statement of non-discrimination and the Procedures for Investigating Reports of Discrimination or Harassment.
G. Posting and Chalking Policy
Carleton’s posting policy creates structure for the posting and sharing of materials in a way that appropriately utilizes available space, prevents damage to college property, and prioritizes community safety. Postings are an important method of communication and expression that support Carleton’s vibrant campus community and should adhere to our shared Community Standards.
As outlined in Carleton’s policy on Freedom of Expression, Political Activity, Discriminatory Speech, and Academic Freedom, Carleton is an institution “committed to the principle of free expression and exploration of ideas in an atmosphere of civility and mutual respect.” The expectations outlined in this policy support and encourage freedom of expression and the promotion of events and ideas. The policy is not intended to censor the sharing of ideas or promotion of events, but rather to outline reasonable restrictions on the time, place, and manner of postings. Postings on college property do not necessarily represent endorsement or sponsorship by the college. Additionally, those choosing to post should be mindful that the Carleton campus is accessible to the public and postings will be seen by a broad array of community members.
For the purposes of this policy, three types of spaces exist on campus where materials may be posted: designated community posting areas include bulletin boards in public campus spaces; department, office, and/or center posting areas include bulletin boards that are dedicated to and managed by a specific college unit; and personal spaces include individual employees’ workspace doors and walls. Jurisdiction of which bulletin boards and surfaces qualify as designated community posting areas is determined by the Dean of Students Office, in collaboration with campus partners. This policy also addresses outdoor spaces where public posting and chalking are permitted.
Regulations
- Physical materials, such as posters and flyers, may only be posted on designated bulletin boards. Posting in community spaces on non-designated surfaces, including walls, glass, wood, windows, mirrors, and furniture, is prohibited. Postings on glass doors or windows restrict visibility and may violate fire code safety regulations. Postings that present a fire hazard by blocking windows and doors or that damage surfaces will be removed on a content-neutral basis. Fines may occur if materials cause damage to surfaces or require staff time for their removal. In unique circumstances, the college may post temporary material of importance on non-designated surfaces regarding time-sensitive issues.
- Bulletin boards dedicated to a specific department, office, and/or center are clearly identified and may only be used with their permission.
- Postings may be made on walls and doors in personal spaces, provided they don’t cause damage to surfaces or violate relevant college policy or safety regulations.
- Postings not directly affiliated with the college are only permitted in outdoor posting areas designated for off-campus entities. This includes the illuminated bulletin boards on the exterior, east side of Willis Hall.
- Because posting space is limited on campus, postings on designated community bulletin boards may be no larger than 11 inches by 17 inches. Only one posting per bulletin board, per event, is allowed at a time. These restrictions do not apply to bulletin boards dedicated to a specific department, office, and/or center, or to personal office space.
- To make space on community bulletin boards for new posters, event postings may be removed after the completion of the event, and other postings may be removed periodically by any member of the Carleton community.
- Many of Carleton’s buildings are historic and composed of limestone or brick that make it difficult to remove chalk without potentially damaging porous surfaces. To protect Carleton’s buildings, chalking is only permitted on concrete sidewalks, directly washed by rain. Chalking on building pillars or exterior surfaces is strictly prohibited and will result in a cleaning fee for its removal. Chalking on other surfaces, including stairs, porches, areas covered by an overhang, existing building signs, emergency phones, utility poles, doors, walls, trash cans, benches, or vehicles, is prohibited. Individual(s) who chalk in these areas may be held financially responsible for any damages caused.
- Only water-soluble chalk may be used to ensure that removal will occur naturally by weather and wear. Spray chalk and paint are not allowed.
- Chalk will be removed periodically during the cleaning of sidewalks.
- Climbing on buildings, railings, trees, or other structures, to chalk or display postings is prohibited.
- Copyrighted or trademarked material is subject to fair use guidelines.
Last Revised: April 27, 2026
Adopted by the Board of Trustees May 10, 2025, upon recommendation of the College Council.
Posting and Chalking Policy approved by the College Council, April 27, 2026.
Last Reviewed: May 7, 2026
Maintained by: President's Office