Free Speech Policy Audit

Higher ed institutions lacking up-to-date and thorough free speech policies often face the daunting task of navigating intricate, unforeseen scenarios in real-time, exposing themselves to heightened scrutiny from various stakeholders such as students, faculty, staff, alumni, external organizations, and the media. Many policies pertain to the realm of free speech and activism within campus environments, encompassing regulations on timing, location, conduct protocols, reservation procedures, and guidelines for speakers and events. Policy audits enable institutions to methodically assess components of free speech policies and pinpoint areas warranting immediate attention.

Use EAB’s Free Speech Policy Audit to collaborate with campus partners in evaluating and enhancing your institution’s free speech policies.

Download the Audit

Three steps to audit your current policy and awareness-building initiatives

Step 1: Audit current policy elements related to free speech

Many policy elements relate to free speech or activism on campus, including time, place, and manner restrictions, reservation and advance notification procedures, demonstration policies, and speaker and event protocols. These policy elements are often outdated.

Use the Policy Element Audit to systematically review policy elements related to free speech and identify the top elements to prioritize for consideration or review at your institution.

Policy Element Audit

Step 2: Audit the awareness of these policies on campus

Although creating the policies themselves is important, students, faculty, staff, and interested community members need to be aware of these policies and how they impact interactions on campus. These policies are too often under-communicated to relevant campus stakeholders and have no central location on university websites.

Use the Policy Awareness Building Audit to ensure your policies are accessible online and well-communicated to relevant stakeholders. Additionally, ensure individuals in external-facing roles such as admissions counselors and alumni relations staff are aware of these policies and can direct people, such as families or donors, to their relevant location online.

Policy Awareness Building Audit

Step 3: Consider a standalone free speech policy

After reviewing and updating your current policies, EAB recommends that institutions consider whether creating a standalone free speech policy is right for your institution. Use the Standalone Free Speech Policy Guide to determine if this type of policy fits with your institution’s mission and goals. You can then use the supplemental resources in the Appendix to inform the development of your policy.

Standalone Free Speech Policy Guide