1. (1) "Free Expression" means all forms of verbal, written, or symbolic communication, including peaceful assembly, protests, speaking verbally, holding signs, circulating petitions, and distributing written materials.

2. (2) "Free expression" does not include speech or conduct that is not recognized as protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and Article 1, Section 15 of the Utah Constitution, including speech or conduct that is a true threat, fraudulent, harassment, obscene, defamatory, or otherwise unlawful.

   R780-800-4. General Rights of Free Expression on Campus.

3. (1) Each institution shall uphold and promote free expression on campus. Except as limited by regulations consistent with the law and this rule, the following rules shall apply:

   1. (a) each student and member of the faculty and staff shall have the right to express views and ideas, and shall be free to criticize, contest, and condemn views expressed on campus and
   2. (b) no student or member of the faculty and staff may obstruct, disrupt, suppress or otherwise interfere with the freedom of others to express views and ideas.
4. (2) Each institution's outdoor areas are public forums.

5. (3) Subject to Section R765-800-5, an institution may not prohibit:

   1. (a) a member of the institution's community or the public from spontaneously and contemporaneously assembling in an outdoor area of the institution's campus; or
   2. (b) a person from freely engaging in noncommercial expressive activity in an outdoor area of the institution's campus if the person's conduct is lawful.

In accordance with Title 53B, Chapter 27, Part 3, Student Civil Liberties Protection Act, the rule establishes general rights to expression on campus as established by law and recognizes narrow limits on speech, including time, place, and manner restrictions.

R780-800-2. Authority.

This rule is authorized by Section 53B-27-302.

R780-800-3. Definitions.

KEY: civil liberties, free speech

Date of Last Change: January 20, 2022

Notice of Continuation: December 23, 2024

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 53B-27-302