II   University Policy on Freedom of Expression

In 1975, the Committee on Freedom of Expression at Yale, [1] chaired by Professor C. Vann Woodward, wrote the following:

The primary function of a university is to discover and disseminate knowledge by means of research and teaching. To fulfill this function a free interchange of ideas is necessary not only within its walls but with the world beyond as well. It follows that a university must do everything possible to ensure within it the fullest degree of intellectual freedom. The history of intellectual growth and discovery clearly demonstrates the need for unfettered freedom, the right to think the unthinkable, discuss the unmentionable, and challenge the unchallengeable. To curtail free expression strikes twice at intellectual freedom, for whoever deprives another of the right to state unpopular views necessarily also deprives others of the right to listen to those views.

Members of this University have freely associated themselves with Yale and in doing so have affirmed their commitment to a philosophy of mutual tolerance and respect. Physical restriction, coercion, or intimidation of any member of the community is contrary to the basic principles of the University. It is also a violation of these principles and of the University's rules of conduct for any member of the faculty, staff, or student body to prevent the orderly conduct of a University function or activity, such as a lecture, meeting, interview, ceremony, or other public event. It is similarly a violation of these principles to block the legitimate activity of any person on the Yale campus or in any Yale building or facility.

In 1975, the Committee on Freedom of Expression at Yale, [1] chaired by Professor C. Vann Woodward, wrote the following:

The primary function of a university is to discover and disseminate knowledge by means of research and teaching. To fulfill this function a free interchange of ideas is necessary not only within its walls but with the world beyond as well. It follows that a university must do everything possible to ensure within it the fullest degree of intellectual freedom. The history of intellectual growth and discovery clearly demonstrates the need for unfettered freedom, the right to think the unthinkable, discuss the unmentionable, and challenge the unchallengeable. To curtail free expression strikes twice at intellectual freedom, for whoever deprives another of the right to state unpopular views necessarily also deprives others of the right to listen to those views.

Members of this University have freely associated themselves with Yale and in doing so have affirmed their commitment to a philosophy of mutual tolerance and respect. Physical restriction, coercion, or intimidation of any member of the community is contrary to the basic principles of the University. It is also a violation of these principles and of the University's rules of conduct for any member of the faculty, staff, or student body to prevent the orderly conduct of a University function or activity, such as a lecture, meeting, interview, ceremony, or other public event. It is similarly a violation of these principles to block the legitimate activity of any person on the Yale campus or in any Yale building or facility.

^[1] "Report on the Committee on Freedom of Expression" (Yale University, January 1975, available at wwwhttp://yalecollege.yale.edu/yalecollege/publications/woodward content/freedom-expression).