Limits of Free Speech
Certain freedoms of expression and assembly are guaranteed by the United States Constitution; however, not all types of expression are protected. In general, the following forms of conduct and/or expression are not protected and can be sanctioned by the university:
- Expressive activity that substantially disrupts, obstructs or interferes with classes, teaching, the use of offices, ceremonies, sporting events or other university activities and events
- Expressive activity that infringes on the speech or rights of another, for example, by creating noise to drown out a speaker (sometimes called the “heckler’s veto”)
- Expressive activity that damages property
- Expressive activity that does not conform with the university’s reasonable time, place and manner rules, including the university’s use of facilities policies
- Incitement to violence and/or true threats
- Violations of state or federal law, including, but not limited to, criminal trespass
- Expressive activity that creates a hostile environment under federal civil rights laws and university policy
- Obscenity
- Defamation
- Expressive activity that discloses private or confidential information or trade secrets without appropriate authorization
Purdue Regulations Governing Student Conduct
Anti-Harassment Policy (III.C.1) and Title IX Harassment Policy (III.C.4)
Equal Opportunity, Equal Access, and Affirmative Action Policy (III.C.2)
Violent Behavior Policy (IV.A.3)
Use of Facilities Policy (IV.B.1)
Assignment, Construction, Alterations, Improvements and Maintenance to Facilities Policy (IV.B.4)