Freedom of speech
As a student, you have a legal right* to lawful freedom of speech and academic freedom and to be able study in a culture that values debate. Throughout your student experience you should not be treated any more or less favourably because of your viewpoint or ideas.
Solent University is committed to upholding and promoting those rights within the law for students, staff and visiting speakers, and ensuring that students are not disadvantaged for expressing lawful view and opinions.
The Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 requires universities to take 'reasonably practicable' steps to secure freedom of speech within the law for their students, staff, members and visiting speakers.
Freedom of speech means everyone has the right to express lawful views and opinions freely, in speech or in writing, without interference.
Academic freedom means protecting the intellectual independence of academics to question and test received views and wisdom, and to put forward new ideas and controversial or unpopular opinions, without placing themselves in danger of losing their jobs or privileges or reducing the likelihood of them securing promotion or different roles at the university.
The University’s Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech explains in detail those rights of freedom of speech and academic freedom and sets out:
- our values in relation to freedom of speech
- what constitutes lawful and unlawful speech
- your and the University’s duties regarding free speech
- the process for organising events and speakers
- what happens where there are breaches of the Code
- how we balance our commitment to free speech with our duty to provide a healthy and safe environment.
What is unlawful speech?
Not all speech is protected. Unlawful speech, such as harassment, incitement of violence, racial or religious hatred is not protected. Solent University does not tolerate speech that is unlawful.
However, free speech can include speech that you find offensive or unacceptable and that may include course materials that you encounter during your studies.
Right to peaceful protest
As a student you also have a right to peaceful protest against speech that is lawful but which you may consider to be offensive or unacceptable.
Peaceful protest is a form of free speech but does not include disruption of someone else’s right to free speech and should not be used to shut down debate. For example, where a speaker who has been invited to an event they should not be prevented from speaking providing their speech is within the law.
Breaches of the Free Speech Code
Breaches of the Code of Practice will be managed under the relevant University student or staff disciplinary procedure.
Where a student considers that their rights under the Code of Practice have been infringed, they have the right to submit a complaint under the University’s Student Complaint Procedure.
The University will not discipline you for expressing your lawful views and we would not discipline another student or member of staff for expressing lawful views that you disagree with or find offensive.