Freedom of Expression

The University of Windsor's Policy on Freedom of Expression was approved by the Board of Governors on November 27, 2018. This policy statement applies to faculty and staff (including management), students and guests.



This statement is intended to reaffirm the University of Windsor’s long-standing commitment to freedom of expression (free speech) in the university community. This commitment is expressed in various university policies. Also reaffirmed in this statement are the freedoms of association and assembly, which are closely related to freedom of expression. Freedom of expression protects the individual’s freedom to communicate - to speak to others, and to hear what others have to say - without interference from the state or from others.

Freedom of expression is protected because it contributes to the growth of public knowledge, because it is necessary to the operation of a democratic form of government, and because it is important to the individual’s development as an autonomous agent.

The free exchanges of ideas and information is central to the university’s role as a place of learning and research. The university must permit and protect the free expression of its community members, subject only to limits necessary to protect the operation of the institution or to prevent harm to members of the university. The university must resist any attempt to interfere with the freedom of expression of its members and guests. The university has in place procedures for addressing interferences with the rights of the community’s members and guests to express themselves.

Read the full University of Windsor Policy on Freedom of Expression on the University Bylaws & Policies site

Read the Annual Report to the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario on Freedom of Expression Implementation (PDF)