10/08/2024
The SUNY Cortland President's Cabinet recently reminded students, faculty and staff about guidelines surrounding freedom of expression on campus by sending this email message:
Dear campus community members,
During the academic year, SUNY Cortland will host events led by different organizations, featuring a wide range of viewpoints and perspectives. As President Bitterbaum shared earlier this week, ensuring free speech and campus safety will remain paramount.
All students, faculty and staff members are reminded that SUNY Cortland, as a state-operated campus, is governed by policies and procedures aimed at protecting freedom of speech while maintaining an environment of safety and respect for all.
The university’s Rules for Maintenance of Public Order, a key element of the SUNY Cortland Handbook, explicitly prohibit interference with university operations or anyone’s freedom to express their views. We strongly recommend that students, faculty and staff review these guidelines and potential penalties.
The following resources also exist to help members of the campus community host safe, educational and productive events on campus, free of harassment and discrimination:
SUNY Cortland’s Rules for Maintenance of Public Order are in place to support, not restrain, robust and vibrant civic discourse on our campus. As explained in the rules, they exist “not to prevent or restrain controversy or dissent, but to prevent abuse of the rights of others and to maintain that public order appropriate to a college or university campus without which there can be no intellectual freedom…”
SUNY Cortland values inclusion, freedom of speech, diversity of thought and the broad sharing of ideas. The university will strive to provide space that allows campus community members the right to express themselves, while remaining committed to ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for all.
Sincerely,
SUNY Cortland President’s Cabinet
Erik J. Bitterbaum, President
Ann McClellan, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Greg Sharer, Vice President for Student Affairs
Mark Yacavone ’94, Vice President for Finance and Management
Rich Coyne ’07, Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Lorraine Lopez-Janove, Chief Diversity Officer
April Thompson, Chief of Staff