Expressing Disagreement

• Write guest editorials or send letters to campus newspapers, associated students/campus resources, political representatives, groups, individuals, administrators or responsible parties.
• Lend support, reassurance and empathy to others who might be hurt by offensive messages.
• Be sure to comply with all university policies and local, state and federal regulations.

Inside the Room or Event

• You can engage in peaceful, non-disruptive protest (for example, messages on shirts, turning your back to a speaker, putting tape over your mouth) if it does not create a disturbance or prevent the speaker from communicating to the audience, or otherwise prevent audience members from hearing and seeing the program.
• Audience members can choose to leave the event as long as they do not obstruct the presentation.
• If you disrupt or obstruct the presentation, and fail to comply with the directions of university officials to cease disruption or leave the area, you are in violation the university's code of conduct and may be grounds for discipline.
• For programs held where access to the event space can be controlled/secured, event sponsors can regulate what can be brought into an event space (such as video cameras or other recording devices) and activities that attendees can engage in; regulations such as these are permitted as they relate to time/place/manner (i.e., conduct) and not content.

Outside the Building, Room or Event

• Peaceful protest or picketing with leaflets, petitions, singing, chanting, or signs is allowed as long as it occurs in an approved space as outlined in the Freedom of Expression Protocols (PDF) and does not disturb the event or prevent attendees from entering or leaving the event.
• Do not block entrances or exits, impede pedestrian or vehicle traffic, or prevent others from entering, hearing, seeing or leaving the program or speech.
• Do not use amplified sound unless allowed by applicable university sound policies.
• Do not disrupt university functions or activities (such as nearby classes) or other events or programs using reserved space.

Before, after or during the program, you can respond to speech that you disagree with by sponsoring a separate presentation or program featuring alternative viewpoints, such as a:

• Teach-in
• Public forum
• Vigil
• Counter-demonstration
• Exhibit

• Maintain a safe distance, and do not respond physically.
• Keep in mind that even though you find it offensive, it is very likely to be protected free speech (Freedom of speech and expression 101).
• Consider organizing an appropriate, nonviolent response.
• Seek assistance from a university official if you feel you are being singled out or targeted, or if you think that the conduct or speech violates university policy.