Safe Activism

TU is committed to fostering a welcoming community where ideas are shared freely, respect for each other is promoted, and students, faculty and staff feel valued and heard. Lawful protests and counter-protests are permissible in accordance with university policy, and the university encourages all students participating in such expressive activity to do so in a peaceful manner.

Freedom of Expression at TU

TU values freedom of expression and the open exchange of ideas. The free exchange of ideas and information is central to higher education’s foremost obligation of fostering both intellectual development and the discovery and dissemination of knowledge. With certain exceptions, such as threats of physical violence and unlawful harassment, free speech and expression is protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. As a public institution, TU endeavors to protect each student’s free speech rights, and may not limit speech or expression, however offensive or disagreeable, based solely on the content or the views being expressed.

There is a very important distinction between “Speech or Expression” and “Behavior or Conduct.” While the First Amendment protects most speech and expression, even hateful or offensive speech and expression, discriminatory or harassing behavior and conduct are NOT protected by the First Amendment.

TU is tasked with protecting every student’s freedom to speak and to hear all views. Hateful or offensive speech that does not rise to the level of a true threat or unlawful harassment cannot be banned or punished. Exposure to all perspectives, including those that may be deemed disagreeable or even offensive, can be an essential part of the educational experience and can help foster a greater understanding of how to respect a person while communicating a differing opinion.

The protection afforded speech and expression by the First Amendment does not mean that we as a university community encourage hate, condone harassment, or in any way tolerate discriminatory behavior or conduct. TU also has support services available for those affected by hateful or offensive, but protected, speech.

More information about these and related topics may be found in the following policies: TU Code of Student Accountability; Chalking Policy (TU Policy 05-01.30); Policy Prohibiting Discrimination (TU Policy 06-01.00); Policy on Threats and Violence (TU Policy 06-01.10); Policy and Procedures for the Reporting of Hate Crimes and Bias Incidents (TU Policy 06-1.20); Policy on Sex Discrimination, Sex-Based Harassment, and Retaliation (TU policy 06-01.60).

Lawful protests and counter-protests are permissible in accordance with TU policy, and the university encourages all students participating in such expressive activity to do so in a peaceful manner. Remember, while the expression of opinions and viewpoints are protected by the First Amendment, engaging in illegal, harassing, violent or abusive conduct and behavior is not and may result in legal and/or administrative action.

Additional information regarding student engagement in expressive activity on campus can be found in the university’s Policy on Time, Place, and Manner of Expressive Activity (TU Policy: 06-04.11).

Yes. TU may establish reasonable and view point-neutral restrictions on the time, place, and manner of speech and expression on its campus to address concerns such as significant public safety interests as we have done in our Policy on Time, Place and Manner for Expressive Activities (TU Policy: 06-04.11)  to ensure that expressive activities on campus do not unreasonably disrupt university operations, violate the protected speech of others, put others in danger, or risk damage to university property. This policy DOES NOT, however, restrict the content or view point being expressed.

The university’s Policy on Time, Place and Manner for Expressive Activities is applicable to expressive activities on campus (i.e., university property). Expressive activities taking place on public rights-of-way (PDF), including those surrounding and bisecting campus such as the sidewalks along York Road and Towsontown Boulevard, and along Cross Campus Drive and Osler Drive are not covered under the policy.

Resources

TU Freedom of Expression Pocket Guide (PDF)

Policy on Time, Place and Manner for Expressive Activities (TU Policy: 06-04.11)

Resources for Civil Discourse

Tiger Advocacy Advisory Team

Under the leadership of the Division of Student Affairs and the Office of Inclusion and Institutional Equity, the Tiger Advocacy Advisory Team (TAAT) is responsible for educating and supporting students on activism on and off campus, coordinating the appropriate level of response for different events, and to serve as the primary liaisons between administrators, the Towson University Police Department, and students.

The team has developed initial response strategies and approaches to student activists with customized intervention plans prior to and during controversial demonstrations, including but not limited to:

  1. connecting with event organizers, protesters and counter-protesters
  2. identifying trusted faculty and staff to aid in facilitating conversations
  3. providing support for logistics and de-escalations tactics
  4. training and policy education

The team will also provide “just-in-time” guidance in the event of spontaneous demonstrations or those that are unknown to the team, including but not limited to:

  1. referring event organizers, protesters and counter-protesters to this website, counseling and mediation services.
  2. advising students on campus policies and local, state and federal laws
  3. providing printed resources with emergency contact information and activism resources. 

Tiger Advocacy Advisory Team Members

About the Team

The Tiger Advocacy Advisory Team is made up of key university officials who have influence with students and who work with students on a daily basis. Some members of the team are selected because of their expertise in the areas of student activism and others are selected because of their work function on campus. 

Team Member Title
Carolyn J Harris Director, Office of Student Activities
Kailey Adams Director, University Marketing and Communications
Jamie Abell Assistant Director, Media Relations
David Anderson Coordinator, Inclusive Excellence Education & Support
Nadea Armogan Coordinator for Bias Education and Advocacy, Office of Inclusion and Institutional Equity
Adrian Battle-Marston Coordinator, Inclusive Excellence Education & Support
Edmund Rhynes, Jr President, SGA
Scott Beyer Director, Office of Events and Conference Services
Kennedy Bennett SGA
Patricia Bradley Vice President for Inclusion and Institutional Equity
Cynthia Cooper Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, Office of the Provost
Jennabu Jalloh SGA
Matt Curio Associate Director, Office of Events and Conference Services
Joshua Hayes Assistant Vice President of Equity and Compliance, OIIE
Molly Herman Director, Counseling Center
Charles J. Herring Associate Vice President for Public Safety
Kelly Hoover Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs, Housing and Residence Life
Romy Huebler Director of Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility
Vernon Hurte Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and University Life
Brian Jara Director, Inclusive Excellence Education & Support
Robert Karp Associate Director, Office of Retention and Completion
Tammie King Kelly Director of Student Success Programs, Office of Student Success Programs
Matthew Lenno Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs in Campus Life
Katie Maloney Associate Vice President for Government Relations and Public Policy
Clare Muhoro Associate Provost for Academic Affairs
Provost's Office
Bryan Mull Senior Associate General Counsel, Office of the General Counsel
William Murphy Associate Director, Material Management
Rhea Roper Nedd Director Center for Student Diversity
Teri O'Neal Associate Vice President, University Communications and Media Relations
Alison Peer Director, Office of Student Accountability and Restorative Practices
Melanie Perreault Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs,
Provost's Office
Heather Polonsky Assistant Director, Civic Engagement & Social Responsibility
Terry Porter Associate Athletic Director, Compliance Services
Matthew Reinhart Deputy General Counsel, Office of the General Counsel
Melinda Reznik Director, Housing & Residence Life
Stephen Rosenfeld Director, Alumni Relations
Anthony Skevakis Dean of Students and Associate Vice President of Student Affairs
Elizabeth Strauch Senior Event Manager, ECS
Jimmy Thren Assistant Dean and Director of SOS
Sean Welsh Vice President for University Marketing and Communications
Danielle Woody Assistant Dean of Student Accountability & Restorative Practices