1. PURPOSE

a. The College is committed to fostering an environment that permits freedom of expression while also recognizing that freedom of expression is not an absolute and must sometimes be balanced against other rights.

b. The College is committed to open discussion and free inquiry, and to foster a space where diverse voices and viewpoints can be discussed and explored.

c. The College affirms the right of students, faculty, researchers, guest speakers, and employees to pursue learning, teaching, research, and the dissemination of knowledge.

2. SCOPE

a. This Policy applies to all CCNM Workers and CCNM Community Members.

3. DEFINITIONS

a. “CCNM Community Member” means all CCNM students, patients, non-CCNM-student Residence residents, volunteers, and visitors at both CCNM campuses and all CCNM clinics, internal and external, but does not include CCNM Workers.

b. “CCNM Worker” means any person who is employed or engaged by CCNM, including full-time or part-time employees, paid or unpaid, including faculty members, contractors, and student clinic interns.

4. POLICY STATEMENT

a. All CCNM Community Members and CCNM Workers are responsible for fostering a safe, healthy, and respectful environment. This includes recognizing that some amount of friction and/or interpersonal challenges is a typical part of being a part of a diverse community.

b. All CCNM Community Members and CCNM Workers are entitled to be members in voluntary groups, to seek or hold public office, to express their opinions as individuals on public questions, and to take lawful action in accordance with their views, subject to all reasonable limits.

c. It is expected that CCNM Community Members and CCNM Workers are cognizant of their responsibilities, including to their profession and the College, where applicable. They have an obligation, where appropriate, to make clear that their actions, statements, and memberships are their own and are not made on behalf of the College.

d. The College may determine the manner, time, and place of free expression, or, even in some circumstances restrict freedom of expression or even, in some circumstances, restrict freedom of expression, for various reasons including to ensure that CCNM’s operations are not unreasonably disrupted, that the safety of the CCNM community is not threatened, and that no laws, rights, policies, or regulations are violated.

e. Agreements, including employment agreements, may impose additional limitations on free expression.

f. Under no circumstances will any speech which violates the law, including applicable human rights codes, harassment, bullying, or hate speech be permitted.

g. CCNM Workers are entitled to freedom in research and in the publication of results subject to reasonable limits including the review of the College’s Research Ethics Board, all applicable laws and regulations, and applicable College policies, including the Intellectual Property policy.

h. CCNM faculty are entitled to freedom in lecturing and demonstrations in their subject or field of competence, subject to all reasonable restrictions and limitations, including those already discussed in this Policy.

i. CCNM students are entitled to learn in an environment in which the exploration of ideas is encouraged, and to have access to information pertinent to their subjects of study. They have the right to intellectual disagreement with their instructors and associates and to question them without fear of recrimination, punishment, or reprisal, subject to all reasonable limits.

Related Policies

• Intellectual Freedom Policy
• Workplace Harassment and Violence Policy
• Discrimination Policy