Having a Voice and Hearing Others at Carnegie Mellon University
A Commitment to Free Expression and Civil Discourse
Freedom of expression is central to Carnegie Mellon’s mission, and we have a longstanding and deep-rooted commitment to upholding it and its companion of academic freedom on our campus. These are core values of our institution and to the success of higher education, where our spaces should be a place of challenging ideas, critical analysis, and thoughtful discourse and dialogue.
Complementing these freedoms with a commitment to civility and physical safety is vital to creating the type of environment that supports the work that we do across CMU. Our work to support freedom of expression is grounded in our university's vision, mission and values, which are paramount as we continuously nurture an environment of excellence and impact. These values have long been a part of life at CMU, through things such as “The Fence,” which has stood as a self-regulating, student-governed space for open expression for a century. The university has developed guidelines, programs and resources to promote the free exchange of ideas and this page offers a central resource to guide you to them.
We strongly believe our campus should be a place to discuss a variety of perspectives, even as we acknowledge that there may be discomfort and tension in the process. It is up to all of us to create the conditions for civil discourse, safety, and to build a culture of belonging and inclusion for all. It is by engaging in this work together that we are truly able to expand our knowledge and build bridges of understanding.
Carnegie Mellon has traditionally hosted events that are part of political campaigns to enhance our culture of civic engagement. All candidates for office may submit requests. It is important to underscore that the presence of any political figure is not an endorsement from Carnegie Mellon. These events are subject to similar guidelines and procedures as other expressive activity events on campus.
Read more in the FAQs on campaign events at CMU below.
On this page is a quick guide to the policies and resources at CMU that can help us all hold up these ideals.
Resources and Guides to Free Speech and Academic Freedom at CMU
Carnegie Mellon’s Freedom of Expression Policy is the foundational university touchstone outlining how we operationalize these values and commitments. As stated in the policy:
Carnegie Mellon University values the freedoms of speech, thought, expression and assembly — in themselves and as part of our core educational and intellectual mission. If individuals are to cherish freedom, they must experience it. The very concept of freedom assumes that people usually choose wisely from a range of available ideas and that the range and implications of ideas cannot be fully understood unless we hold vital our rights to know, to express, and to choose. The university must be a place where all ideas may be expressed freely and where no alternative is withheld from consideration. The only limits on these freedoms are those dictated by law and those necessary to protect the rights of other members of the University community and to ensure the normal functioning of the University.
Read more about the policy and our community’s rights and responsibilities here.


Ways to be Involved
There are numerous opportunities planned for our community this fall to engage in meaningful dialogue and exploration of complex issues affecting today’s society. Some examples include:
Our successful Deeper Conversations series returns, focusing on the complex issues of today, with a full schedule of speakers.
On September 19, the University Lecture Series will kickoff with a lecture by Teresa Bejan titled "What Can I Say? Free Speech and Civility in a Tolerant Society."
And on Election Day itself, the CMU community will have the space to make their voices heard at the ballot box. That day is declared Democracy Day at CMU, with special activities planned on campus
Recognizing the need for tools our faculty can employ as they engage in relevant discussions, our Eberly Center for Teaching Excellence and Innovation has strategies and resources for “Teaching in Tumultuous Times.”
Being a part of the community, on and off campus, to learn about real-world issues and how to solve them is a key part of a Carnegie Mellon education. Students can find numerous opportunities for civic engagement through organizations, events, and programs. There are opportunities to expand perspective through events and initiatives hosted by the Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team including the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion. Students can develop a holistic approach to care for self and community through civility and wellness and meaning making initiatives.
Scheduling and Safely Hosting On-campus Events Involving Expressive Activity
Students, faculty or staff who wish to organize demonstrations, protests, rallies or other events involving expressive activity on campus are expected to follow new scheduling procedures designed to support an environment for safe, civil and free exchange. University decisions related to scheduling requests and procedures will be made in a content-neutral manner that is in keeping with the Freedom of Expression policy. In support of these events, the university has developed an Expressive Activity Support Team comprised of trained staff members from both the Student Affairs and Provost’s division who will serve as an on-site resource to assist organizers, participants and bystanders as needed. Campus police officers can also support; they are prepared for a variety of circumstances and well-versed in de-escalation techniques.


CMU’s Policy on Tents and Encampments
Carnegie Mellon values and supports the right to assemble and exercise free expression; however, tents, encampments and structures used for the purposes of occupation risk compromising the regular functioning of the university relative to campus safety, security and access, as well as its primary mission of teaching, learning and research, and are therefore prohibited. The university does permit the longstanding and narrowly defined practice of allowing for Carnegie Mellon students guarding The Fence to occupy one or two tents in support of overnight guarding and painting activities.