College campuses historically are a place where different opinions are exchanged, which has great intellectual development value. The following information and guidance are intended to promote a shared understanding and clear expectations for the UAB community regarding issues of free speech, civil discourse, institutional neutrality and political activities for students, faculty and staff.

Freedom of Speech and Civil Discourse

The University of Alabama System is committed to the First Amendment Rights of free speech and expression for all members of the System community. As a public institution of higher education, UAB recognizes individuals’ rights to assembly and free speech granted by the U.S. Constitution. This applies even when things students or employees say do not align with the institution’s values or voice. UAB’s Freedom of Expression and Use of UAB Facilities Policy opens a new website is consistent with federal and state law.

As members of an incredibly diverse community of learning and higher education, we all share the responsibility to promote civil discourse – a respectful exchange of views intended to promote mutual understanding.

UAB encourages healthy and respectful dialogue to advance learning and understanding, and we create opportunities for students, faculty and staff to participate in a robust exchange of ideas and perspectives; look to official UAB communications and the UAB Campus Calendar opens a new website, and subscribe to newsletters of interest opens a new website for opportunities to engage. Consistent with applicable laws and UAB’s Freedom of Expression and Use of UAB Facilities Policy opens a new website, UAB may reasonably regulate time, place and manner of expression in a viewpoint-neutral manner to ensure First Amendment rights of free speech and expression are protected and the activity does not disrupt the ordinary activities of the institution.

A robust exchange of perspectives will sometimes expose members of the campus community to ideas they may find offensive. Members of the UAB community have choices when confronted by something that offends them:

• Voice Opposition in the Spirit of Civil Discourse: Promote your perspective in a civil way that does not impede others’ rights to free speech and assembly. Impeding others’ free speech (e.g., disrupting a registered student organization event) violates the code of conduct.
• Learn from It: Listening to different opinions – particularly those you find offensive – may be hard to do, but trying to understand how and why people think differently may prepare you for future adversity, make you more resilient and help you think of ways to more effectively champion your own personal values.
• Talk About It and Support Friends, Classmates and Colleagues: Discuss with friends, family, colleagues, instructors and/or registered student organizations, and consider constructive ways of responding.
• Walk Away: If you find an event too disconcerting, go to a place where you are not exposed to it.
• Utilize Student Counseling Services opens a new website or the Employee Assistance Counseling Center opens a new website.
• Alert Authorities: While police will not stop protected free speech, they can be present and monitor to respond if safety is threatened. UAB Police and Public Safety opens a new website has more than 100 sworn officers and 6,400 security cameras across the institution to promote everyone’s safety.

Institutional Neutrality

As a public institution comprised of more than 50,000 students, faculty and staff with richly different perspectives, characteristics, and life experiences, it is important for the University of Alabama at Birmingham to maintain an intellectually independent environment that is welcoming to all people of all backgrounds.

To maintain this important environment, and to further safeguard freedom of speech and expression for campus community members, the institution must remain neutral on political and social issues that do not directly affect the institution’s core operations. The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees codified UAB’s longstanding practice of institutional neutrality opens a new website in 2024.

While we understand that members of our community sometimes want to hear the university’s voice or position on societal, political or global issues, UAB will adhere to institutional neutrality opens a new website. Institutional neutrality promotes academic freedom and freedom of speech by allowing for a wide range of ideas and perspectives to be openly exchanged and respectfully debated by campus community members not speaking on behalf of the institution.

Instead of making statements and taking positions on current events and issues, UAB focuses on the day-to-day operations of the institution and promotes civil discourse, our shared values opens a new website (e.g., collaboration, integrity, respect and excellence) and resources like UAB Student Counseling Services opens a new website and the UAB Employee Assistance Counseling Center opens a new website. If you or someone you know is struggling with current events, please consider utilizing Student or Employee counseling services and other resources, and/or make your instructor or supervisor aware if you worry it will affect your studies or work.

Political Activity at a Public Institution

Because UAB is a public entity, employees must avoid the appearance that their private, individual political views and activity represent the institution. UAB faculty and staff do not surrender their civil and political rights and responsibilities by virtue of their employment and should feel comfortable fulfilling their civic responsibilities as private citizens.

However, UAB employees should make clear that their political activity is theirs as a private individual and that they do not have UAB sponsorship or support. UAB employees interacting with public officials similarly do not represent the institution unless specific, prior approval is granted, and they should comply with ethical and legal requirements that govern such interactions.

Members of the UAB community must also comply with laws regarding the use of state resources, time and property for or on behalf of any candidate, campaign or organization, or for any contribution or solicitation of any contribution to a political campaign or organization.