First Amendment

As a public university, ESU is committed to the ideals of free speech protected by the First Amendment.

Freedom of speech is not only an important individual right, but also essential to a healthy democracy.

What is the First Amendment?

The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is the part of the Bill of Rights that expressly prohibits the United States Congress from making laws infringing, limiting, or prohibiting:

• The free exercise of religion
• Freedom of speech
• Freedom of the press
• The right to peaceably assemble
• The right to petition the government for a redress of grievances

Can ESU limit free speech?

Generally speaking, under the First Amendment, an individual can exercise their freedom of speech rights to express their opinions publicly without government interference. However, the First Amendment does limit government entities like ESU, but not private entities such as businesses, organizations, private schools, or private individuals. Public universities like ESU, which are created by state governments, are considered governmental entities, and therefore cannot limit the speech rights of students.

Why is free speech important on a campus like ESU?

A university like ESU exists to educate students and advance their critical thinking skills by acting as a “marketplace of ideas” where ideas compete. This competition of ideas is necessary and critical to maintain the intellectual vitality of the university. Without protected free speech, students and faculty members may fear punishment for expressing unpopular views with the public at large or fear of reprimand by university administrators.

In a democracy, everyone has freedom of speech. At times, that may mean exposure to mean-spirited, offensive, disparaging, hateful, hurtful, and even angering comments. This often creates confusion because it seems unfair and completely wrong that the First Amendment protects offensive speech. Freedom of speech is meant to protect everyone because it is neutral. Because someone has the right to express their ideas – even if some find their ideas offensive, hateful, repulsive, hurtful, and wrong, it means everyone’s right to express ideas is protected.

Offensive words and statements may trigger emotions that are real, raw, and deep when these words and statements are embedded in historically oppressive, violent, and white supremacist systems. However, when speech begins to be limited, you don’t know where that limitation ends. The answer to offensive speech is not less speech, it is more speech.

What are some free speech protections and limitations on campus?

• Disruptive Activity: Any act that unreasonably interferes with the rights of others to peaceably assemble or to exercise the right of free speech, disrupts the normal functioning of the University, damages property, or endangers health or safety is specifically prohibited.
• Reasonable Access: The University is required by law to provide and maintain reasonable access to, and exit from any office, classroom, laboratory, or building. This access must not be obstructed at any time.
• Symbolic Protest: Displaying a sign, gesturing, wearing symbolic clothing, or otherwise protesting silently is permissible unless it is a disruptive activity or impedes access to facilities. In addition, such acts should not block the audience’s view or prevent the audience from being able to pay attention to a lawful assembly and/or an official University event.

Since ESU is a government entity (as part of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education), we are barred by the Constitution from limiting or addressing speech outside of the above limitations. All government entities can propose limits on speech – limit the time, place, or manner in which they occur; however, they must be content-neutral. Government entities cannot impose limitations on speech because some people do not like it. The content, or point of view, cannot matter.

Community Restoration Team

ESU's Community Restoration Team (CRT) takes action to support an affected individual(s) and/or group(s) while providing an educational response that communicates information to the campus community about detrimental damage caused by bias, discrimination, or prejudicial incidents.

East Stroudsburg University is committed to Inclusion and Belonging.

As Warriors and Champions of Social Justice, each of you can challenge racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, stereotypes, and toxic language wherever you go: in dining halls, residence halls, student organization meetings, locker rooms, athletic fields, and in the stands.

Get involved on campus to affect change. This is part of how we create a welcoming and inclusive campus – by getting involved and speaking up.

Civic Engagement

Civic engagement, or civic participation, involves working to make a difference in a particular community or in society at large. Here is a short list of clubs and organizations that practice civic engagement. For more information, contact the Student Activity Association.