Fellow Patriots:
A growing number of American universities have erupted into jarring scenes of protests and police responses that we have not seen at universities in more than a half century. Across Virginia, this reality has played out even on campuses that have scarcely ever experienced public demonstrations.
At George Mason University, though passions have run high on a myriad of topics, we have so far shared a different experience: Continued lawful and peaceful assembly, and the uninterrupted pursuit of our educational mission.
My team’s commitment is to keep it that way and to ensure George Mason can end this semester on a positive note, something too many American universities are unable to accomplish. To do this, I am writing to reiterate our commitments to the community, and our requirements for a safe and productive learning environment.
Our commitments
First and foremost, we are committed to fostering the safety, well-being, and belonging of everyone at George Mason. Second, we are committed to protecting everyone’s First Amendment rights to express themselves. As a public university, George Mason is bound by the First Amendment, and we take that responsibility to heart. This is why last fall we established the Patriot Plan for Community Safety and Well-Being, which I recommend you refer to as needed.
In addition, I am reiterating what is required of individuals and groups intending to exercise their First Amendment rights through campus demonstrations. The following guidelines must be observed:
- Safety– The First Amendment protects a broad array of speech, even that with which we may disagree or even find reprehensible and indefensible. As we have been reminded of in recent months, even hate speech is protected by the First Amendment. However, speech that is not protected includes incitement, true threats, fighting words, obscenity, defamation, fraud and perjury, and speech integral to criminal conduct, as articulated by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, which ranks George Mason #8 in the nation for protection of free speech rights.
- Lawfulness– Demonstrations must follow all federal and state laws, and they must observe university policies including:
Policy 1103 – Space utilization and scheduling
Policy 1128 – Use of amplified sound on university property
Policy 1132 – Trespass notices
Policy 1140 – Use of university facilities by the general public
Encampments like those that have popped up on dozens of university campuses nationwide are not permitted at George Mason and will not be allowed. Health and safety considerations have always rendered overnight encampment off limits on George Mason campuses.
Use of reservable space must be approved in advance of demonstrations. These include specific areas on campus, including Merten Lawn and designated areas on Wilkins Plaza. Space must be granted through space reservation requests, and participants must observe all university rules for assembly conduct.
Use of unreservable space may not involve such enhancements as amplified sound or items like tables, chairs, tents or other structures.
Violation of such policies will be considered acts of trespassing, and could also constitute violations of George Mason’s:
Administrative/Professional Faculty Handbook
DHRM Policies for classified staff
In all cases, the university will respond accordingly.
- Non-disruption– By design and strategy, some demonstrations are loud, provocative, and attention-getting for the causes their organizers seek to advance. But they cannot be disruptive. Disruptions include but are not limited to any interruptions of educational or business settings, blocking of ingress and egress to buildings or meeting rooms, or generation of noise that prevents business or educational activities from occurring.
To date, these rules have been largely observed, despite the frequent demonstrations that have occurred throughout this academic year. In order for us to maintain the safe, peaceful, and free-speech-friendly environment that increasingly distinguishes George Mason from other universities, we must all commit ourselves to observing these parameters. We are a community of 50,000 students, faculty, staff, and visitors. In this tumultuous time, we have managed to coexist harmoniously despite our competing passions and priorities.
Let’s continue to work together.
Sincerely
Gregory Washington
President