Feb. 26, 2019<\/p>\n
The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) gave Northern Arizona University a \u201cgreen light\u201d for having speech policies that are compliant with the First Amendment. This rating, the organization\u2019s highest, is held by only 45 other institutions throughout the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cArizona\u2019s green light schools are setting a standard for free expression that colleges across the country should aspire to follow,\u201d said FIRE\u2019s Laura Beltz, policy reform senior program officer. \u201cWe\u2019re pleased to see NAU join an elite group of colleges that have committed to protecting students\u2019 free speech rights.\u201d<\/p>\n
FIRE rates the speech policies of more than 400 of the nation\u2019s top colleges and universities. The green light indicates a university\u2019s written policies do not seriously imperil or restrict free speech. NAU President Rita Hartung Cheng was instrumental in prioritizing a review of university policies and the resulting green light from FIRE.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur university is a place of free thought, free speech and freedom of expression. We uphold these values through our policies, and our practices,\u201d she said. \u201cWelcoming a diversity of opinions is a fundamental aspect of the learning experience. Expressing and testing our ideas in conversation, discussing both the issues of our time and the issues of all time, being open to intellectual challenge and response and learning from each other are the hallmarks of our university community. I am thankful for FIRE\u2019s review of our policies and their collaboration to ensure we continue to foster freedom of speech.\u201d<\/p>\n
Policies are just one of many ways in which NAU protects freedom of expression for the campus community. NAU\u2019s Speech Expression Action Knowledge (SpEAK) is an interdisciplinary team that responds to free expression concerns and facilitates educational opportunities to students, staff and faculty regarding free expression.<\/p>\n
NAU also offers several educational programs on campus related to free expression, including a \u201cFirst Amendment: Free Expression on Campus\u201d guide to provide information to students and student organizations planning events about their First Amendment rights. NAU Residence Life facilitates training to professional and student staff regarding First Amendment rights, and the Office of General Counsel offers an annual educational opportunity to faculty who are interested in information about the First Amendment and freedom of expression.<\/p>\n
According to FIRE\u2019s Spotlight on Speech Codes 2019 report, only 10 percent of top institutions in the country earn a green light rating. Almost 30 percent earn an overall \u201cred light\u201d rating for maintaining policies that both clearly and substantially restrict freedom of speech.<\/p>\n
The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to defending and sustaining the individual rights of students and faculty members at America\u2019s colleges and universities. These rights include freedom of speech, freedom of association, due process, legal equality, religious liberty and sanctity of conscience\u2014the essential qualities of liberty. To learn more about the state of free speech on college campuses, see FIRE\u2019s Spotlight database<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"