This resource is designed to help students, faculty, and staff navigate the university's policies and principles regarding free speech. Here, you'll find answers to common questions about your rights and responsibilities, as well as guidance on how to engage in respectful and constructive dialogue on campus.
This document outlines USM's commitment to fostering an environment where intellectual development, scholarly inquiry, and the dissemination of knowledge can thrive through the protection of free speech and expression. USM champions the principles of open dialogue and diverse perspectives, recognizing that a robust and respectful exchange of ideas is essential to the mission of a public research university. While promoting these values, USM also emphasizes the importance of maintaining civility, ensuring the safety of its community members, and addressing speech that may be hateful or discriminatory within the framework of the United States Constitution and state law.