Freedom of Expression & Civil Discourse Information

Expression that would normally be protected loses its protection when it violates a justified time, place, and manner restriction. For example, using amplified sound in a campus residence hall at 1:00 a.m. or installing a display on a building wall or window without proper approval.

Also, some expression is categorically prohibited. Examples include expression that libels or slanders others, creates a hostile workplace or educational environment, threatens the physical safety or property of others, or disrupts the work or educational environment. Expression that constitutes disorderly conduct is prohibited by UWS 18.10 (offenses against public safety), UWS 18.07 (use of campus facilities), and UWS 18.11 (offenses against public peace and order).

Act immediately. Call 9-1-1. The appropriate law enforcement department will respond.

Submit an Incident Report. Incident Report submissions will not elicit a response from law enforcement but can be used to submit additional information for review by University Officials. See the Bias Incident Reporting Team page for details on the incident report process.

The role of the Freedom of Expression Steering Committee to: 

1. Review current protocol for addressing issues of expression, revise as needed, and recommend for approval. 
2. Review freedom of expression complaints as they arise and assist with concerns in real time.
3. Develop and maintain Freedom of Expression website.
4. Develop and implement annual action plan.

Committee members: 

• Kristi Krimpelbein, Designee, Office of the Chancellor
• Tim Shiell, Designee, Menard Center for the Study of Institutions & Innovation
• Xan Bozzo, Designee, Center for Applied Ethics
• Kate Roberts Edenborg, Designee, Nakatani Teaching & Learning Center
• Mai Khou Xiong, Designee, Bias Incident Response Team
• Hannah Lammer, Designee, Office of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
• Darrin Witucki, Designee, Student Centers
• Nate Kirkman, Designee, Dean of Students Office
• Krisany Blount, Designee, University Staff Senate

UW-Stout follows the Universities of Wisconsin Guidance on Political Campaign Activities to ensure information and processes related to political campaigning is consistent with university system guidelines. Employees and students are encouraged to read this guidance thoroughly before engaging in any expressive activity. 

As a state entity, the Universities of Wisconsin do not engage in political campaign activity and state time or resources may not be used for that purpose either. But, on their own time and with their own resources, employees and students may become involved with a political campaign.

Political campaign activity can include activities such as:

• solicitation of campaign contributions and distribution of materials
• advocating, volunteering, or working for candidates, political parties, or political action committees
• advocating a particular position on a referendum.

Political forums and debates can be sponsored by the Stout Student Association; however, all political candidates must be invited to the event.

UW-Stout is committed to the exercise of free speech and freedom of assembly.  The University work in good faith to assist students and student organizations conduct demonstrations and protests in accordance to reasonable time, place, and manner guidelines.

Students groups or student organizations that are planning a demonstration or protest are asked to contact the Conferences & Events Office (MSC 214 or 715-232-2000) for events planned within or on the grounds surrounding the Memorial Student Center or Merle Price Commons.  We also strongly recommend contacting Conferences & Events for demonstrations or protests planned elsewhere on campus, as this office can refer the group or organization to appropriate parties on campus to meet time, place, and manner guidelines. Planning your event with the Conferences & Events Office will help you do the following:

• Get detailed information on the guidelines for the space and the event
• Get access to AV support & other equipment
• Get a referral to University Police to help keep your protest safe and to protect your speech
• Get a referral to appropriate parties on campus to ensure your demonstrations meet time, place, and manner guidelines

While time, place, and manner guidelines may vary depending on the nature, size, and scope of the demonstration or protest, the minimum guidelines for all events are:

1. There must be free access and egress to, from, and within the building (staff may define barriers or lanes to ensure access/egress).
2. The activities cannot unreasonably disrupt another event or activity.
3. The activities may not enter the space(s) of another event or activity. 

Learn more about our reservable space and tabling locations below:

• Reservable space locations
• Reservable tabling locations

Spontaneous demonstrations or protests will be afforded the same commitment to free speech and freedom of assembly.  However, spontaneous demonstrations or protests will be held to time, place, and manner guidelines as noted above.

Within the Campus Community

Use of bulletin boards, common exterior windows, and exterior doors in university buildings is controlled by the building supervisor of each facility as outlined by UW-Stout Policy 76-3 Facility Use. The building supervisor may designate specific bulletin boards on which authorized groups, as defined in UWS 21.04 Use of University Facilities, may post materials.

The building supervisor must also approve any materials, such as window clings, placed on exterior doors or windows in common areas—unless specifically permitted by all-university policy.  A list of current building supervisors can be found on the Business, Finance, & Administrative Services website (must log in with UW-Stout credentials).

Within the Residence Halls

Signs are allowed and should be displayed with these two residence hall policies in mind:

Fire Safety - Decorations (pg.19) - Students may not cover more than fifty percent of the hallway-side of their room doors with decorations. Decorations should not protrude from the door.

Posting of Signs (pg. 21) - Students may not post signs anywhere inside or outside of the residence halls without prior approval from University Housing. Unauthorized removal of approved postings is not permitted.

Learn more about the Residence Hall Handbook and other policies here.

The university assumes no liability for the content of materials distributed on its campus and reminds those who distribute materials to be aware of applicable laws, including, but not limited to, laws regarding libel, defamation, obscenity, fair labor relations or incitement to violence.

There are several areas on campus that are available for chalking. Questions about banners, sidewalk chalking, or other exterior posting of materials should be directed to:

Conferences & Events
302 10th Avenue East
RM 214, Memorial Student Center
715-232-2000
mscreservations@uwstout.edu 

View reservable chalking spaces

Students need to know some types of behaviors may be deemed incompatible with membership in the University community and therefore may result in disciplinary sanctions which may include suspension or expulsion from the University of Wisconsin System.

The type of conduct that rises to the level of non-academic misconduct as defined in UWS Chapter 17 (Student Disciplinary Procedures) can be described as conduct that harms self or others. UWS Chapter 18 - Conduct on University Lands provides additional information regarding usage, behavioral expectations, and processes related to campus and operations.

Examples below, while not exhaustive, gives some general types and examples of serious misconduct violations that may result in separation from the UW-System:

1. Victimizing Others (battery, sexual assault, stalking, and harassment)
2. Poor Citizenship (theft, vandalism, giving false information, failing to abide by restrictions imposed by earlier disciplinary action)

Door-to-door solicitation is not permitted in the residence halls. Solicitation is defined as selling, peddling, distributing, and/or collecting materials or information, free or otherwise.

Resident Students may be visited by candidates running for political office and/or student government elections if they have specified that they wish such “visits.” During the first month of each semester, students will be asked to designate their preference in regard to visits by candidates. Only those students so specifying their desire for such visits will be contacted by candidates and/or their representatives. Campaign visits may include the dissemination of literature. When talking with candidates, students are expected to invite such individuals into their rooms or conduct those meetings in the floor lounge (if the total group is 4 or less). In the case of larger groups, a basement meeting area should be used. For more information, visit the Political Campaigning FAQs.