Frequently Asked Questions
Mississippi State University (MSU) determines which speakers to allow on campus by following established policies and legal guidelines. Decisions are made in a content-neutral manner, meaning approval or disapproval is not based on the content of the speech or the affiliations of the speakers.
In compliance with federal precedent, the university will treat all expressions of speech with a vision of viewpoint neutrality. (The university however will exercise reasonable restraints on time, place, and manner of speech through a lens of content-neutrality for the purposes of fulfilling its academic mission.)
No, MSU does not block groups based on political or moral grounds. Decisions regarding group activities are made without consideration of their political or moral stances. However, events may be subject to constitutional time, place, and manner restrictions to ensure safety and prevent disruption to university operations.
Yes, individuals have the right to express themselves freely on the MSU campus as long as their speech does not pose a threat to physical safety or violate the university's Code of Student Conduct. It's important to note that freedom of speech comes with accountability, and others have the right to challenge expressed ideas.
If you find the content being expressed offensive, you have the option to leave the area. No one is permitted to impede your ability to remove yourself from the situation. Additionally, you are free to exercise your own First Amendment rights in a manner that does not constitute harassment or violate the Mississippi State Code of Student Conduct.
While individuals do not have the right to walk across campus without being offended, they do have the right to exercise their own First Amendment rights or remove themselves from the area if they find the material offensive. MSU upholds the principles of free speech while also prioritizing a safe and welcoming campus environment.
Yes. The First Amendment does not protect incitement or acts of violence, specific threats of physical violence or intimidation, incitement to break the law, the destruction of property, or harassment as defined by law and University policies.
Prohibited activities and items include:
- Sleeping tents, boxes, and/or other structures
- Use of amplified sound without prior approval
- Camping or sleeping outdoors overnight
- Inciting violence or threats of imminent harm
- Shouting down opposing viewpoints
- Blocking walkways or roadways
- Littering, vandalism, or damage to University property
- Weapons
- Flammable liquids, torches, or open flames
- Chairs, tables, and tents for non-registered events
- Any other items determined to be a public safety hazard
Yes, certain outdoor areas of campus may be reserved by individuals or groups or otherwise may be restricted for official University use. It is highly recommended that groups planning outdoor meetings, assemblies, picketing activities, demonstrations, protests, and gatherings provide advance notice per applicable event approval processes to ensure space availability and the adequate provision of security.
Yes, MSU entities may chalk messages on campus. Chalking on campus is prohibited on brick surfaces, buildings, any covered area, and benches. Chalking must be done with a water-soluble powder substance, removable with water. The University reserves the right to remove chalking deemed to be inappropriate.
No. A speaker’s viewpoint is protected by the First Amendment. The University welcomes the exchange of strongly held views as part of the educational process but does not endorse specific speakers or viewpoints.
- Charges under the Code of Student Conduct for non-criminal violations by students which may lead to suspension or expulsion
- Arrest for anyone engaging in criminal conduct
- And/or trespass warning that prohibits future entry on MSU’s campus
- Employees may be trespassed from campus and/or separated from employment
While both free speech and academic freedom are essential to the vibrancy of a university campus, they operate under distinct principles and purposes. Free speech is a broader societal right protected under the First Amendment, allowing individuals to express their views without government interference. It encompasses a wide range of expressions, from political opinions to artistic endeavors, and applies to everyone within the university community. Academic freedom, on the other hand, is a specialized form of free speech specific to the academic context. It grants scholars and educators the liberty to pursue research, scholarship and teaching without undue restriction, provided they adhere to the rigorous standards and methodologies of their disciplines. This freedom ensures that academic inquiry can advance knowledge and challenge prevailing norms.
Academic freedom has limitations.
- Faculty are entitled to freedom in the classroom to provide instruction on topics related to their subject-area expertise, but are advised not to portray themselves as experts on matters that fall outside of their subject.
- Faculty are citizens and also employees. When they speak or write as citizens, they are free from institutional censorship or discipline, but they should remember that the public may judge their profession and their institution by their utterances.
- When speaking or writing as a citizen, employees must make every effort to indicate that they are not communicating for the University. Including a statement such as: “All views expressed here represent exclusively my own views and not those of my employer” helps to clarify that an employee is speaking as a citizen rather than as a representative of the university.
Yes, you are free to counter speech you disagree with by expressing your own viewpoint, as long as your actions do not prevent the original speaker from being heard. This is a core aspect of free speech — the ability for all sides to express their views.
However, if your actions involve disrupting the speech to the point where the original speaker cannot communicate, it could be seen as a form of the Heckler’s Veto. In this situation, authorities may step in to prevent you from silencing the speaker, as free speech protections require that all voices, even unpopular ones, have the right to be heard without being drowned out by opposition.
The Heckler’s Veto occurs when a speaker’s right to free speech is restricted or suppressed due to the reaction of an opposing audience.