Standard 208 Policy

Policy of the University of Cincinnati College of Law with respect to free speech and freedom of expression.

The University of Cincinnati College of Law (the “College”) adopts and adheres to the University’s Campus Free Speech Policy (Policy Number 1.3.6) adopted by the Board of Trustees pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 3345.0215, which requires each public university in Ohio to adopt a policy on campus free speech consistent with its provisions. The Campus Free Speech Policy is available here.

As outlined in the Campus Free Speech Policy:

• complaints alleging violations of the Policy are addressed in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement (“CBA”) between the University of Cincinnati and the American Association of University Professors, University of Cincinnati Chapter with respect to faculty members who fall within the Bargaining Unit, as defined in the CBA.

• complaints alleging violations of the Policy on the part of any other College full or part time employee are handled by University Human Resources, with the individual against whom the complaint is lodged having the due process protections set forth in Human Resources Grievance Policy 17.01.

The College further adheres to the policies set forth in the University of Cincinnati’s Use of Facilities Manual, including the Policy for Outdoor Expressive Activity set forth as Exhibit 1 thereto (collectively, the “Facilities Manual”) as well as the University of Cincinnati Student Code of Conduct (the “Code of Conduct”). In particular, and not by way of limitation, the College adopts and adheres to the policies set forth in the Facilities Manual and the Code of Conduct that (i) set forth reasonable and content neutral time, place and manner restrictions on expressive activity and the use of facilities in connection therewith, (ii) proscribe disruptive conduct that hinders free expression by preventing or substantially interfering with the carrying out of law school functions or approved activities, whether such conduct takes place indoors or outdoors, and (iii) in the case of the Code of Conduct, define nonacademic misconduct to include without limitation disruption, obstruction, or interference with College functions, activities, or the pursuit of the College’s mission, including teaching, research, administration, or conduct proceedings. Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph,

(i) The College limits the rental or use of College facilities to the current students, faculty, staff, administration, and registered student organizations of the College whose student membership is composed exclusively of students at the College (“College registered student organization”), as well as guest speakers invited by a faculty member teaching a class in the College, to the extent that the guest speaker is speaking or presenting exclusively in the class to which they have been invited.

(ii) Other outside persons or groups, including guests speaking or presenting outside of a class, may not use the College facilities unless they are sponsored by a full time member of the faculty or staff, the Dean’s Office, or a College registered student organization. In such cases, the sponsoring individual or organization representative must accompany the person or group they are sponsoring for the entire duration of their use of College facilities. The sponsoring individual or organization must also complete any forms that may be required by the Dean’s Office or their designee no less than one week prior to the use of such facilities, as a condition for the use of the College’s facilities. For the avoidance of doubt, and consistent with the Campus Free Speech Policy, any such forms are exclusively for informational and planning purposes, and the Dean’s Office may not deny the use of the College’s facilities for an event or a speaker on the basis of content.

Policy of the University of Cincinnati College of Law with respect to academic freedom.

The University of Cincinnati College of Law (the “College”) adopts and adheres to the definition of academic freedom set forth in Articles 2 and 3.1 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement This definition applies to all full and part-time faculty at the College, as well as to all others teaching in courses at the College, including uncompensated guest speakers teaching a single class session or part of a class session. For the avoidance of doubt, law school courses include clinical courses and any other coursework that involves direct client representation.

Claims of violations of academic freedom are assessed in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement (“CBA”) between the University of Cincinnati and the American Association of University Professors, University of Cincinnati Chapter with respect to faculty members who fall within the Bargaining Unit, as defined in the CBA, as well as for guest speakers invited by such faculty member to teach a single class session or part of a class session.

Claims of violations of academic freedom on the part of any other College full or part time faculty member, or any other full or part time employee of the University of Cincinnati who is not a member of the Bargaining Unit, as well as guest speakers invited by such individuals to teach a single class session or part of a class session, are handled by University Human Resources, with the individual against whom the complaint is lodged having the due process protections set forth in Human Resources Grievance Policy 17.01.

 

Approved by the Faculty on 12.13.2024