Exercising Your Rights to Freedom of Expression

This message was sent Aug. 20, 2024, to Cal State Monterey Bay students on behalf of the leadership of the California State University system

Welcome to the start of a new academic year. As the leadership of the California State University (CSU), we would like to take a moment to reaffirm our commitment to fostering an inclusive CSU community. 

As a part of this commitment, we uphold freedom of expression as essential to our educational mission. Institutions of higher education have a special obligation to encourage and support the free expression of ideas, values, and opinions, even where they may be unpopular or controversial. We invite and actively encourage you to learn, grow and make your voice heard on issues that matter to you. Freedom of expression, however, is not an absolute right. It coexists with other rights, the CSU educational mission, and the need for public order and safety. The exercise of freedom of expression and assembly rights must comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, as well as university policies. 

As you participate in the CSU community, it is important that you understand these regulations and policies, including the Systemwide Time, Place and Manner Policy, the Student Conduct Process Policy and the CSU Nondiscrimination Policy. These policies outline the rights and responsibilities of students and include information on reporting, due process rights and sanctions for those found to be in violation of university policies. Student behavior that is not consistent with the Student Conduct Code is addressed through an educational process that is designed to promote safety and good citizenship and, when necessary, impose appropriate sanctions. The procedure for all student conduct violations is set forth in CSU’s Student Conduct Process. Sanctions may include restitution, educational and remedial sanctions, denial of access to Campus or persons, disciplinary probation, loss of financial aid, suspension, and expulsion, and can include multiple sanctions. Each campus addendum also contains information on specific university policies, processes and resources, including how to obtain assistance as you plan events. 

The CSU’s Office of the Chancellor has created a systemwide website that serves as a hub of information on these matters. This website includes all CSU campus-based policies and resources meant to foster healthy discourse and bring together community members with different viewpoints, as well as educational activities and programs that support the balance of free speech activities, our educational mission and campus safety. In addition, this short video has been created to provide additional information on the relevant policies and resources available to students: Student Notification of the CSU Time, Place, and Manner Policy. 

We also want to acknowledge that activities related to freedom of expression, which sometimes contain hurtful and/or hateful messages, may impact members of the CSU community. If you have been affected by current or past activities and need support, we urge you to access the various mental health and wellness resources available for students.

We look forward to seeing you on campus and to the vibrant and productive year ahead of us. Thank you for choosing the CSU to be a part of your educational journey. 

Sincerely, 

Mildred García, Chancellor, California State University 
Jeffrey D. Armstrong, President, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Erika D. Beck, President, CSUN
Soraya M. Coley, President, Cal Poly Pomona
Jane Close Conoley, President, Cal State Long Beach 
Emily F. Cutrer, Interim President, Sonoma State 
Adela de la Torre, President, San Diego State
Vice Admiral (Ret.) Michael J. Dumont, Interim President, Cal Maritime
Vernon B. Harper Jr., Interim President, CSU Bakersfield
Tom Jackson Jr., President, Cal Poly Humboldt
Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, President, Fresno State
Berenecea Johnson Eanes, President Cal State LA
Lynn Mahoney, President, San Francisco State 
Tomás D. Morales, President, Cal State San Bernardino
Ellen J. Neufeldt, President, Cal State San Marcos
Thomas A. Parham, President, CSU Dominguez Hills
Stephen Perez, President, Chico State
Vanya Quiñones, President, Cal State Monterey Bay
Britt Rios-Ellis, President, Stanislaus State
Ronald S. Rochon, President, Cal State Fullerton
Cathy A. Sandeen, President, Cal State East Bay
Cynthia Teniente-Matson, President, San José State
Luke Wood, President, Sacramento State
Richard Yao, President CSU Channel Islands