Restore Free Speech at UNCG - Young Americans for Liberty

We, the undersigned members of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) community, petition for the immediate abolition of restrictive “free speech zones” on our campus. The current policy, which confines expressive activities to limited outdoor areas, undermines our right to freedom of expression guaranteed by the First Amendment and stifles the open exchange of ideas vital to academic life. By restricting spontaneous speech to designated areas such as spaces near the Elliot University Center, Jackson Library Lawn, Gate City Plaza, and others, UNCG imposes undue limitations on our ability to engage with peers in a timely and accessible manner.

Under the Free Speech, Public Assembly, Amplified Sound, Chalking, Posting, and Petitioning Policy, revised on 09/16/2024, UNCG not only designates these specific free speech zones but also enforces an advance notice requirement for the use of these spaces and amplified sound. These measures create administrative barriers that discourage timely responses to social, political, and cultural events, chilling spontaneous expression and diluting the effectiveness of students’ voices. The demand for prior approval contradicts the very spirit of free expression and burdens those seeking to raise awareness on relevant issues. Free speech zones inherently limit the reach and inclusivity of diverse viewpoints by relegating them to specific areas, fostering an environment where ideas are restricted rather than freely shared.

We assert that UNCG should remove these restrictive zones and open all outdoor public areas on campus to spontaneous expressive activities. This approach aligns with free speech best practices at other institutions, such as Montclair State University, which has effectively allowed unrestricted access to outdoor spaces for expression without prior notice or approval. Public university grounds should be accessible for expressive activities without reservation or restriction, in line with the university’s commitment to institutional neutrality and academic freedom. By adopting this change, UNCG will strengthen its standing as a place of open dialogue and diverse perspectives, championing the rights of students, faculty, and staff.

We urge Chancellor Franklin D. Gilliam, Jr. to demonstrate the university’s dedication to free speech by abolishing restrictive speech zones and eliminating unnecessary barriers to spontaneous expression. This essential reform will uphold the constitutional rights of our campus community and reaffirm UNCG as a marketplace of ideas.

Free Speech Fight at UNCG

We, the undersigned members of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) community, petition for the immediate abolition of restrictive "free speech zones" on our campus. The current policy, which confines expressive activities to limited outdoor areas, undermines our right to freedom of expression guaranteed by the First Amendment and stifles the open exchange of ideas vital to academic life. By restricting spontaneous speech to designated areas such as spaces near the Elliot University Center, Jackson Library Lawn, Gate City Plaza, and others, UNCG imposes undue limitations on our ability to engage with peers in a timely and accessible manner. Under the Free Speech, Public Assembly, Amplified Sound, Chalking, Posting, and Petitioning Policy, revised on 09/16/2024, UNCG not only designates these specific free speech zones but also enforces an advance notice requirement for the use of these spaces and amplified sound. These measures create administrative barriers that discourage timely responses to social, political, and cultural events, chilling spontaneous expression and diluting the effectiveness of students’ voices. The demand for prior approval contradicts the very spirit of free expression and burdens those seeking to raise awareness on relevant issues. Free speech zones inherently limit the reach and inclusivity of diverse viewpoints by relegating them to specific areas, fostering an environment where ideas are restricted rather than freely shared. We assert that UNCG should remove these restrictive zones and open all outdoor public areas on campus to spontaneous expressive activities. This approach aligns with free speech best practices at other institutions, such as Montclair State University, which has effectively allowed unrestricted access to outdoor spaces for expression without prior notice or approval. Public university grounds should be accessible for expressive activities without reservation or restriction, in line with the university’s commitment to institutional neutrality and academic freedom. By adopting this change, UNCG will strengthen its standing as a place of open dialogue and diverse perspectives, championing the rights of students, faculty, and staff. We urge Chancellor Franklin D. Gilliam, Jr. to demonstrate the university’s dedication to free speech by abolishing restrictive speech zones and eliminating unnecessary barriers to spontaneous expression. This essential reform will uphold the constitutional rights of our campus community and reaffirm UNCG as a marketplace of ideas.