[Fdu] Newsroom : Upholding Free Speech on Ontario's University and College Campuses

[Cynthia Wright]

This is a big head's up, my colleagues....

https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2018/08/upholding-free-speech-on-ontarios-university-and-college-campuses.html


  Upholding Free Speech on Ontario's University and College Campuses

August 30, 2018 2:49 P.M.

The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities requires every 
publicly-assisted college and university to develop and publicly post 
its own free speech policy by January 1, 2019 that meets a minimum 
standard specified by the government.

*Free Speech Policy*

The policy must apply to faculty, students, staff, management and 
guests, and it must meet a minimum standard by including the following:

  * A definition of freedom of speech
  * Principles based on the University of Chicago Statement on
    Principles of Free Expression:
      o Universities and colleges should be places for open discussion
        and free inquiry.
      o The university/college should not attempt to shield students
        from ideas or opinions that they disagree with or find offensive.
      o While members of the university/college are free to criticize
        and contest views expressed on campus, they may not obstruct or
        interfere with the freedom of others to express their views.
      o Speech that violates the law is not allowed.
  * That existing student discipline measures apply to students whose
    actions are contrary to the policy (e.g., ongoing disruptive
    protesting that significantly interferes with the ability of an
    event to proceed).
  * That institutions consider official student groups' compliance with
    the policy as condition for ongoing financial support or
    recognition, and encourage student unions to adopt policies that
    align with the free speech policy.
  * That the college/university uses existing mechanisms to handle
    complaints and ensure compliance. Complaints against an institution
    that remain unresolved may be referred to the Ontario Ombudsman.

Starting September 2019, each institution must prepare an annual report 
on implementation progress and a summary of its compliance, publish it 
online and submit it to the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario 
(HEQCO).

*Monitoring and Compliance*

The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities intends to direct 
HEQCO to undertake research on campus free speech, and to monitor and 
evaluate system-level progress on the free speech policy.

HEQCO would receive, review and assess each institution's annual report, 
and will provide advice to the Minister.

If institutions fail to comply with government requirements to introduce 
and report on free speech policies, or if they fail to follow their own 
policies once implemented, the ministry may respond with reductions to 
their operating grant funding, proportional to the severity of 
non-compliance.

*Free Speech Complaints*

Individuals who wish to make a complaint regarding free speech on campus 
will follow the usual complaints processes that colleges and 
universities currently have in place.

Any unresolved complaints against publicly-assisted universities and 
colleges about free speech may be referred to the Ontario Ombudsman, 
which has the power to investigate complaints about colleges and 
universities.






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