Skip to main content

University Policy 4.23
Expressive Activity Policy

Ezra Cornell founded a university “where any person can find instruction in any study.” Cornell’s foundational commitment to welcoming “any person” means that the university is a community that is open to all people, regardless of identity or income. Cornell’s commitment to “any study” means that it embraces the freedom to pursue ideas wherever they lead. Vindicating both principles, Cornell protects freedom of inquiry and expression as fully as possible, bounded only by the imperative to ensure the civil rights and equal membership of all Cornellians, the importance of protecting health and safety, and the responsibility to safeguard the university's core operations.

While the university’s assurance of free speech is essential to academic freedom, it extends beyond the protections afforded to faculty in scholarship and teaching. Cornell is committed to ensuring open discussion, exploration, discovery, and growth for all community members and not only in traditional learning environments.

Cornell community members will promote ideas that diverge, and the resulting conflict is healthy in a university devoted to the pursuit of knowledge. It is not the role of a university to shield members from ideas simply because they are seen as wrongheaded, disagreeable, immoral, or even deeply offensive. Although civility and mutual respect are highly valued at Cornell, they cannot, on their own, be used as justifications for closing off the free expression of ideas.

A zealous commitment to freedom of expression does not mean that anyone can say anything they like, whenever and however they like. Cornell’s commitment to “… any person … any study” itself may mean that some expression must be regulated to protect the ability of others to speak and be heard and otherwise participate in the university’s core functions. The university may restrict speech that constitutes harassment, intimidation, or a true threat; that is integral to violence or property damage; that violates the law; or that occurs in a time, place, or manner that threatens physical safety or that disrupts essential operations necessary for the teaching, research, patient care, or residential campus missions of the university. In addition, Cornell may face situations where its core value of “free and open inquiry and expression” conflicts with its core value of constituting a “community of belonging” that protects all in our community. However, these are narrow exceptions to freedom of expression, and they should be implemented in conformity with due process and strict content and viewpoint neutrality.

Disagreements about ideas should be resolved not by university regulation, but through debate and discussion among Cornellians. In fact, it is essential to the tenet of “… any person … any study” that conflict among community members be resolved by themselves, if possible, rather than by the university. A corollary is that each Cornellian must act in conformity with the principle of freedom of expression, and that each Cornellian must share in the responsibility to ensure equal membership in our university community.

Together, these two commitments to “any person” and to “any study” are foundational to Cornell’s success, and together they not only honor our traditions but also set the course for the university’s future.

Given Cornell’s central purpose to serve as a learning community, any limits placed on expressive activity should be carefully considered and publicly grounded in a set of core principles.

Principle 1

Open inquiry and freedom of expression are core values of Cornell. They are central to our academic mission and are essential parts of our learning environment.

Principle 2

Freedom of expression is not limitless and may come into tension with another of Cornell’s core values: to foster a community of belonging. It may also be limited by genuine concerns for health and safety, by the need to protect against property damage, to safeguard the university's core operations, and to comply with applicable laws. Conduct and expression that prevent others from participating fully in the Cornell community or contribute to the creation of a hostile environment, including harassment, intimidation, shutting down events, and threats of violence are unacceptable, inconsistent with our university values, potentially illegal, and amount to grave disrespect for the dignity of others.

Principle 3

To the greatest extent possible, Cornell should not single out expression for special treatment. Policies governing non-expressive activities also generally apply to expressive activities that pose the same or comparable benefits or risks. Because of the centrality of free expression to the university mission, the application of any rules or regulations that restrict freedom of expression should be construed and applied as narrowly as possible and should be closely tailored to the harms they are designed to prevent.

Principle 4

There are a few special settings on the university’s campuses where disruptive activities (including some expressive activities) that are tolerable or encouraged elsewhere should be prohibited completely or limited due to the special purposes of these spaces.

Principle 5

Input from within the Cornell community can help support university leaders in balancing freedom of expression with other university values and objectives.

Principle 6

Neutrality with respect to the content and viewpoint of expression is essential in implementing time, place, and manner rules to ensure that the university administration does not prefer one set of views or voices over others. Neutrality in the regulation of individual expression does not prevent the university administration or other community members from disagreeing, even in the strongest terms, with the content of that speech.

Scope

This Policy applies to expressive activities conducted by current members of the Cornell community (students, faculty, and staff) and by sponsored university guests that use university resources. Alumni, parents, prospective students, visitors, formally affiliated entities, and other third parties are not current Cornell community members.

This Policy does not intend to nor should result in the interference with any rights of Cornell employees to engage in protected activity under the National Labor Relations Act.

University resources

University resources means Cornell facilities and other properties owned or controlled by the university; funds; branding (e.g., name or marks of the university or any of its colleges or subunits) or other resources owned or administered by Cornell. Use of university resources for expressive activities is restricted to current members of the Cornell community and to sponsored university guests. 

Freedom of expression

Freedom of expression is defined as the freedom to debate and deliberate about ideas, to participate in shared governance, and to engage in self-realization. This includes one’s own ability to express thoughts, as well as to engage with and respond to others’ opinions. Freedom of expression allows for discussion, exploration, discovery, and growth beyond the academic offerings within traditional learning environments.

Expressive activities

Expressive activities as used in this policy include demonstrations, marches, protests, counter-protests, rallies, picketing, distribution of literature or fliers, art installations, performing arts, speeches, and other forms of public-facing expression that aim at the public or particular individuals, regardless of whether they have expressed interest in receiving communications from the persons engaged in expressive activities. Expressive activities are distinctive because they are communicative and public facing.   

When engaging in expressive activity, Cornellians should remember that they speak for themselves only and are responsible for their own speech. The speech of sponsored guests may not be attributed to the university. Accordingly, the occurrence of an event or activity at the university should not be interpreted to mean that the university endorses, supports, refutes or disagrees with its subject matter or content.

Content neutrality

This policy will be administered in a content-neutral manner and without regard to the message or viewpoint being expressed.

Classroom setting not applicable

This policy does not pertain to speech and expression within individual classrooms and other instructional settings (e.g., studios), which remain the purview of individual faculty members. Guidance on Cornell policies relating to academic freedom and speech in the classroom context may be found at Cornell Policy Statement on Academic Freedom and Freedom of Speech and Expression.

Professionalism policies

Nothing in this policy supersedes the professional conduct policies of individual Cornell schools. Where professionalism is a component of an educational program, students must uphold the applicable standards of professional conduct, even while engaged in expressive activity.

Responsibilities of expressive activity organizers

Cornell expressive activity organizers are responsible for ensuring their activities comply with this policy and other university policies. Organizers should address the following considerations: protecting the health and physical safety of all members of the Cornell community; preventing damage to university grounds and property; preserving unimpeded mobility on pathways, streets, and within buildings, including entrance to and departure from buildings; and avoiding interference with other scheduled university activities or core university operations.

Time, place, and manner rules for expressive activity

Time, place, and manner rules on a university campus are often not special to expressive activity but pertain to all activities on campus. They regulate a range of activities—such as making loud sounds and excluding others from shared space—that sometimes happen to be expressive. In many cases, the policies that will govern expressive activities on Cornell’s campuses also govern other activities. The University’s scheduling process is an example: these resources for pre-scheduling space for planned events aim to avoid more than one planned event trying to use the same space at the same time, and those processes can be used for both expressive activities and other activities.

Cornell’s prohibitions on harmful activities apply to expressive activities. These include acts of violence; damage to or destruction of property; trespassing; harassment or intimidation; bringing weapons onto campus or wielding various implements as weapons; blocking building entrances, corridors, stairways, or doorways; impeding access to or from university property or campus roads; displacing other activities; violating occupancy limits, fire codes, or otherwise endangering the physical safety of others.

Use of university space and scheduling

Community members are required to comply with published campus space reservation policies. Existing event scheduling platforms for each campus should be used to reserve locations for speakers or other expressive activities using dedicated space, including tabling, installations, and camping.

Pre-scheduling demonstration or protest activities is encouraged, but not required. Such pre-scheduling can help reduce the potential for conflicts with other scheduled activities and address any health or safety needs through pre-event planning. Except for the locations described below in the section on considerations for special settings on campus, demonstration and protest activity may occur anywhere on campus, consistent with the principles and requirements of this policy. Indoor demonstration or protest activity will be subject to regular building rules. 

Candlelight vigils

Expressive activities involving open flame should follow the applicable fire safety code policies, including required completion of an outdoor candle use permit form and prohibited use of candles and other open flame devices within all Cornell University buildings and within all tents. LED candles can be used for vigils within buildings and tents. Pre-scheduling candlelight vigils is encouraged but not required. 

Amplified or otherwise loud sound

On the Ithaca campus, amplified or otherwise loud sound is permitted on Ho Plaza and the area in front of Day Hall from 12 to 1pm, without prior approval. It is also permitted outdoors on the Ithaca and Cornell Tech campuses between the hours of 5pm and 9pm without prior approval. Amplified or otherwise loud sound in proximity to classrooms that prevents or materially disrupts an instructor from engaging in classroom teaching is prohibited. Amplified or otherwise loud sound is prohibited entirely in patient care and clinic settings at Weill Cornell Medicine, the College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell Health, and the Law School clinics. Campuses and colleges may suggest additional locations where amplified or otherwise loud sound should be prohibited with strong justification.

Interruptions of speakers or events

Interruptions of speakers or events, including via heckling or amplified or otherwise loud sound, that interfere with the speech or expression of others is prohibited.

Use of university space and financial resources

While Cornell is a private university, our campuses are not gated and welcome visitors. Use of university spaces for activities, including expressive activities, is limited to members of the Cornell campus community. Like other campus activities, expressive activities that involve financial resources are under the purview of the sponsoring campus unit.  It is the responsibility of Cornell community members hosting an event or activity with outside groups to be present during the event or activity and ensure that their guests abide by university policies protecting the health and physical safety of community members and university operations.

Postering, signs, and chalking

Deans or other unit heads should designate locations appropriate for postering and signage related to any type of campus activity (including, but not limited to expressive activity) in the facilities under their purview. Postering areas should not be designated in an overly limited fashion, and specific size limits should be determined at the unit level given that norms for postering expression in one part of campus might reasonably look different from norms in another. Community members are responsible for complying with designated locations for postering and signage within buildings and on outdoor grounds where postering is allowed, and deans and unit heads are responsible for communicating transparently about these locations. Postering and signage are not permitted in non-designated areas on Cornell’s campuses.

Within designated locations, listing of the name of the sponsoring Cornell organization, or unit, or individual is recommended, but not required. Scheduled removal of posters and signage within designated areas should follow the procedures established by the dean or unit head responsible for the building or grounds to make room for others’ use.  Facilities personnel should promptly remove posters and signs from non-designated locations on campus. Cornell community members should not remove others' posters themselves. Posters and signs should use adhesives or tacks that are easily removed and that do not damage campus surfaces. Use of water-soluble chalk is allowed on all campus sidewalks. Use of spray chalk, spray paint or other forms of paint, or other similar media that may damage university property is prohibited. Chalking is not permitted on any vertical surface (i.e., sides of buildings).

Installations

An installation must be approved in advance by the university events teams on each campus to ensure that it does not pose a physical danger (i.e., that it be in compliance with fire and safety code, as well as non-obstructing), that the installer be clearly identified, and that installation host signs a statement accepting responsibility for safe removal. Advanced approval is also intended to ensure that use of space is for a designated period to avoid blocking others from using the space.

Camping

Prior registration for camping on campus grounds is required to help ensure that camping is limited to Cornell community members and to set a durational limit on camping to allow for others’ uses of space.

Masking

Wearing masks or face coverings is permitted on Cornell’s campuses, subject only to lawful demand to briefly unmask to verify a person’s identity by authorized university personnel.

Applicable law

Federal, state, and local laws can sometimes be more restrictive than Cornell’s rules, and Cornell does not have the ability to override these laws. For example, local fire codes may limit the maximum occupancy of a room. Compliance with this policy does not relieve participants from their other legal obligations.

Considerations for special settings on campus

Cornell’s campuses are places of work and study, and places where some of us live, dine, receive health care and other services, and socialize. University operations include all faculty, staff, and student functions, whether or not there is a direct connection to the educational enterprise. Students’ ability to attend university functions (including classes) and reasonable quiet times in the residence halls and libraries to facilitate studying or sleep are included in university operations.

Across our Cornell campuses, there are certain settings where expressive activity that is visually or audibly disruptive to non-participants (i.e., excluding one-on-one and group conversations) is either prohibited completely, limited, or given special consideration.

Settings providing special services

Cornell aims to create a welcoming environment for both Cornellian and non-Cornellians seeking services on our campuses, including medical care for patients, veterinary care for animals, and legal services for clients. There are safety concerns with obstructing access to acute medical care services, disturbing sleep in hospital rooms, animal care and housing, and other safety-related priorities. In settings providing medical, veterinary, and legal services, expressive activity is prohibited directly outside and inside settings and locations where patients or clients transit, including entrances and exits to clinical buildings, corridors, stairways, and parking areas.

Living spaces

Residential halls are students’ homes on campus. These are locations where students sleep, study, and find respite from the demands of campus life. Students are entitled to a peaceful and private home environment. Living spaces are locations where expressive activity is prohibited, including at entrances and exits to residential halls, common hallways, and other areas that residents must walk through to get to their rooms. Postering and signage are allowed in designated spaces in residence spaces. The development of programs to promote awareness of and sensitivity toward how public-facing expression might impact other students and community members is encouraged.

Special consideration is needed for the ‘learn where you live’ residential halls on the Ithaca campus and hotels located on three campuses. Because expressive activity on a university campus is part of a robust learning environment, ‘learn where you live’ residential halls are likely to involve expressive activity with some frequency. House Deans, Faculty-in-Residence, and residence hall staff should identify designated areas appropriate to expressive activity while preserving a peaceful and private home environment in areas where students live, consistent with the approaches that are taken for other activities.

Hotels

Hotels on Cornell campuses (the Graduate at Cornell Tech, the Statler Hotel in Ithaca, and the Helmsley Tower at Weill Cornell Medicine) are multi-purpose facilities that include living spaces. The expectation of preserving a peaceful and private home environment for hotel rooms for campus visitors and long-term residences is the same within these living spaces.

Libraries

The Cornell University Library should be maintained as a place for quiet reading and study, and accordingly, spontaneous disruptive activities of all kinds are prohibited. Spontaneous peaceful expressive activities that are not disruptive (e.g., sit ins) and other types of quiet activities are permitted if they do not displace others from shared spaces or prevent the library from providing its core services such as providing access to collections or service points (reference desk). Classrooms in libraries should be managed like other classrooms, which remain the purview of instructors. 

Research spaces and offices

Cornell includes numerous research spaces and offices where work (e.g., time-sensitive lab experiments) could be compromised by noise or other disturbance. Disruptive activity in research spaces and offices is prohibited.

Dining halls

Expressive activity of limited duration and frequency so that it does not displace other activities or disrupt university operations is permitted in dining halls.

Policy administration

Cornellians who have engaged in activity that violates this policy will be referred to the appropriate office (which will differ for students, staff, and faculty) for progressive responses to an alleged rule violation based on its seriousness and whether it poses a risk of ongoing harm. Recommendations on progressive measures are included in this Committee’s accompanying Report. Temporary suspensions involve special due process considerations that are also addressed in the Report.

Related Resources

Responsible Office: Office of the President

Responsible Executive: President

Revision History: Issued March 28, 2025 
Replaces Interim Expressive Activity Policy (revised March 11, 2024).