The Fence and its Role in Supporting Free Expression

The Fence and its Role in Supporting Free Expression
November 3, 2023 

For the last 100 years, the Fence has stood as a self-regulating, student-governed space for open expression. It has an important role in supporting free expression and respectful engagement within our campus community. Freedom of expression has been  — and always will be  — central to advancing CMU’s mission. We firmly believe that the exchange of ideas and perspectives creates knowledge, improves understanding and cultivates a campus atmosphere rich in diversity and innovation. 

In December 2020, President Farnam Jahanian charged a Commission with exploring and clarifying the university’s commitment to academic freedom and freedom of expression in a contemporary context. The group’s final report quotes the university’s longstanding freedom of expression policy. It states that: “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.” These words ring true today, and we encourage members of our community to review the full report. 

In recent weeks, the Fence has carried messages related to the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza — a development that reflects both the diverse perspectives of our student body and the raw emotions of this time. We acknowledge that, on issues that may divide us, the free expression of some may cause discomfort and concern for others. As an academic community committed to advancing our educational mission, we must grapple with these tensions. Our student government leaders have been reviewing the rules of the Fence and its use to ensure that these rules are relevant, comprehensive and clearly communicated. We applaud their leadership and consider this work important for promoting meaningful dialogue, transparency and understanding within our community. 

James H. Garrett Jr.
Provost and Chief Academic Officer 

Gina Casalegno
Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students