The Universities of Wisconsin share in the responsibility to create an environment where members of the campus community may freely engage with others. This includes upholding the legal and practical applications of free speech concepts to promote engagement, civility, and discourse in the expression of ideas, beliefs, and opinions that may be controversial or strongly opposed by others.
The Universities of Wisconsin also cultivate an environment where living, learning, and working are embraced by mutual respect.
The goal of the Civil Dialogue Project is to develop resources, training programs, and events to supplement the current and ongoing efforts of our public universities in the promotion of freedom of expression and civil discourse on their campuses.
Freedom of Speech Student Survey Results
Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman announced the results of the system’s survey of student attitudes on free speech and free expression on Feb. 1, 2023.
Where can I go to learn about Civil Dialogue and Free Speech?
Learn how UW universities are providing information on civil discourse and free speech; guidance on First Amendment rights; handling demonstrations and disruptions; and reporting bias or hate incidents.
The Discussion Project
UW-Madison Civil Dialogue Initiatives
Learn more about UW-Madison’s Discussion Project, which aims to strengthen campus-wide capacity to create welcoming, engaging, and academically rigorous classroom environments in which students experience productive classroom discussions on important issues and topics.
- First Amendment and the Freedom of Speech (UW-Eau Claire)
- Student Expression, Rights and Responsibilities (UW-Eau Claire)
- Civil Discourse and Free Speech (UW-La Crosse)
- Free Expression at UW-Madison (UW-Madison)
- Statement on Free Speech (UW-Milwaukee)
- Free Speech, Rights and Responsibilities (UW-Milwaukee)
- First Amendment and Free Expression, Hate Speech, Heckler’s Veto, Narrow Exceptions to First Amendment (UW-Milwaukee)
- Tips for students for responding to angry people or upset persons, feeling threatened, threats, etc. (UW-Green Bay)
- Violence & Threats (dealing with disruption) (UW-Green Bay)
- Disruption in the College Classroom (UW-La Crosse)
- Bias Incident FAQs (UW-Superior)
- Protest and Demonstration Procedures (UW-Eau Claire)
- University of Wisconsin Protest Guidelines (UW-Madison)
- Policy on Designated Area for Unplanned Free Speech Events (UW-Parkside)
- Protest and Demonstration Procedures (UW-Stout)
- Protest Guidelines (including an FAQ) (UW-Whitewater)
- Bias/Hate Incident Reporting (UW-Eau Claire)
- Bias Motivated Incident Report (UW-Green Bay)
- Report Bias or Hate (UW-La Crosse)
- Report Bias or Hate (UW-Madison)
- Report an Incident (UW-Milwaukee)
- Bias Incident Reporting (UW Oshkosh)
- Bias Incident Reporting (UW-Parkside)
- Bias Incident Reporting (UW-Platteville)
- Report It: Bias Incident Report Form UW-River Falls)
- Bias/Hate Incident Reporting (UW-Stevens Point)
- Bias Incident Reporting (UW-Stout)
- Bias Incident Reporting (UW-Superior)
- Hate and Bias Reporting (UW-Whitewater)
- Student Orientation Video on Freedom of Speech (UW-Eau Claire)
- Campus Climate Trainings and Workplaces (UW-Platteville)
- Menard Center for Constitutional Studies (UW-Eau Claire)
- Statement regarding academic freedom (UW-La Crosse)
- Guidance on political campaign activities at UW System institutions (UW-La Crosse)
- Anti-Bias Initiatives (UW-Milwaukee)
- Discrimination Complaint Investigations (UW-Milwaukee)
- Harassment & Discrimination (UW-Milwaukee)
- Share Principles to Guide Interactions Among Members of University Community (UW Oshkosh)
- Civic Action Plan (UW-Parkside)
- Menard Center for the Study of Institutions and Innovation (UW-Stout)
Policy & Legal Resources
Learn about civil dialogue policies and legal resources at Universities of Wisconsin campuses such as off-campus speech and social media, posters, marches, use of space on campus, and uninvited speakers.
Certain laws, regulations, and policies apply to every UW institution regarding civil discourse, including the following:
- The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and Article I, Sections 3, 4, 18, and 19 protect the freedom of expression of those subject to U.S. and Wisconsin law, respectively.
- Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter UWS 17 governs “Student Non-Academic Misconduct;” Chapter UWS 18 governs “Conduct on University Lands;” and Chapter UWS 21 governs the “Use of University Facilities.” Neither chapter can prohibit conduct or use that is speech protected by the constitutional provisions above.
- Board of Regents Policy Document 4-21 expresses the Board’s “Commitment to Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression.”
Some campuses have created websites regarding civil discourse that are accessible at the links below:
- UW-Eau Claire: First Amendment and the Freedom of Speech: Rights and Responsibilities
- UW-La Crosse: Civil Discourse and Free Speech.
- UW-Milwaukee: Free Speech, Rights and Responsibilities
To facilitate civil discourse, campuses are encouraged to adopt policies governing the following areas below, which include links to actual policies adopted by campuses.
Please note: Campuses are not required to adopt any particular policies listed below, except as expressly provided for by the laws, regulations, and policies outlined above.
UW-System
- Wisconsin Administrative Code
- Section UWS 18.07: Use of campus facilities
- Section UWS 18.11: Offenses against public peace and order
- Chapter UWS 21: Use of University Facilities
UW-Eau Claire
UW-Madison
- Policy UW-2065: Restricted Use of University Unions
- Policy UW-2073: Priorities on Use of Space
- Policy UW-2078: Space/Use of Food Service Facilities
- Policy UW-6000: UW-Madison Use of Facilities and Land
- Policy UW-6001: Use of UW-Madison Facilities for Political Purposes
- Policy UW-6007: Rental Charges for UW Auditoria
- Policy UW-6012: Commercial Use of Facilities, Incentives, and Acceptance of Gifts
- UW-Madison Facility Use Guidelines
UW-Milwaukee
UW-Parkside
UW-Platteville
UW-River Falls
UW-Stout
- Stout Policies (76-3: Facility Use)
UW System
- Wisconsin Administrative Code Section UWS 18.08: Personal conduct prohibitions
UW-Madison
- Policy UW-628: Athletic Department Facility Use
- Policy UW-2047: Registered Student Organization (RSO) Large-Event Guidelines
- Policy UW-2049: Coordination of Registered Student Organization (RSO)-Sponsored Open Major Events
- Policy UW-2050: Dining Services Programming Spaces Guidelines
- Policy UW-2052: Lakefront on Langdon Procedure
- Policy UW-2056: Orchard Street Procedure
- Policy UW-2077: Events
- Policy UW-6053: Specific Guidelines for Organized Runs in the Lakeshore Nature Preserve
UW-Milwaukee
UW Oshkosh
UW-Parkside
UW System
- Wisconsin Administrative Code
- Section UWS 17.09: Conduct subject to disciplinary action. (8) Disruption of university-authorized activities.
- Section UWS 18.08: Personal conduct prohibitions. (6) Physical security compliance.
- Section UWS 18.10: Offenses against public safety
- Section UWS 18.11: Offenses against public peace and order.
UW-Madison
- Policy UW-6011: Protest Guidelines
UW-Eau Claire
UW-Milwaukee
UW-Parkside
UW-Stout
UW-Whitewater
UW System
- Wisconsin Administrative Code Section UWS 18.08: Personal conduct prohibitions. (9) Postings and Signage.
UW-Eau Claire
UW-Green Bay
UW-La Crosse
- UWLax Policies
- D-12: Directional Signs
- D-13: Publicity Signs
- C-9: Posting Signage
UW-Madison
- Policy UW-6036: Banners
UW-Platteville
UW-River Falls
UW-Stevens Point
UW System
- Wisconsin Administrative Code Section UWS 18.11: Offenses against public peace and order. (8) Selling, Peddling and Soliciting.
- Wisconsin Administrative Code Section UWS 18.11: Offenses against public peace and order. (9) Campaigning in State-Owned Residence Halls.
UW-Eau Claire
UW-La Crosse
- UW-Lax Policies
- C-12: Solicitation
UW-Madison
- Policy UW-2076: Literature Display Areas
- Policy UW-2068: Literature Distribution
- Policy UW-2069: Time-Place-Manner of Leafletting Surveys
- Policy UW-2070: Time-Place-Manner of Free Publications
UW-Parkside
UW System
- United States Code
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
- Age Discrimination in Employment Ace of 1967
- Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
- Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978
- Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
- Family and Medical Leave Act of 1992
- Wisconsin Statutes
- Wisconsin Administrative Code, UWS 1 to 22
- Board of Regents Policy Documents Sections 14 & 17.
UW-Eau Claire
UW-Green Bay
UW-La Crosse
UW-Madison
UW-Milwaukee
UW Oshkosh
UW-Parkside
UW-Platteville
UW-River Falls
UW-Stevens Point
UW-Stout
UW-Superior
UW-Whitewater
UW System
- Regent Policy 14-6
- Wisconsin Statutes
- Section 940.32 Stalking
- Section 947.01 Disorderly conduct
- Section 947.013 Harassment
- Wisconsin Administrative Code
UW-Eau Claire
UW-Green Bay
UW-La Crosse
UW-Madison
- Equal Opportunity Complaint Investigation (no formal policy?)
UW-Milwaukee
UW Oshkosh
UW-Platteville
UW-Parkside
UW-River Falls
UW-Stevens Point
UW-Stout
- University Policies | University of Wisconsin – Stout (uwstout.edu) (90-61: Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Policy)
UW-Superior
UW-Whitewater