VCU Report on Protected Speech Policies 

Introduction: Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to creating an environment that fosters the exercise of protected speech and other expressive activity on university property while maintaining an atmosphere free of disruption to the mission of the university. It recognizes that the free expression of ideas and open inquiry are essential in fulfilling its academic mission by embracing rigorous open discourse, argumentation, speaking, listening, learning and the exploration of ideas. In support of maintaining such an environment VCU incorporates and employs several policies and practices that protect free speech in compliance with Va. Code § 23.1-401.1. 

1. Section 1 (Institutional Policies): 

These policies and related materials include the following: 

• Reservation and Use of Space Policy 
• Reservation and Use of Space website 
• Reservation and Use of Space FAQs 
• Expressive activity mass email sent to all students on Nov. 19, 2019.
• Student Code of Conduct 
• Social Media Guidelines (references and links to the First Amendment) 
• New Student Orientation - Cross Cultural Dialogue Training 
• Reporting Concerns - Faculty, staff, and students are able to report concerns through two primary channels. 
• For concerns regarding faculty or staff, reports can be made to our Integrity and Compliance Office: https://acs.vcu.edu/integrity-and-compliance-office/ethics-and-compliance-program/reporting-concerns/ 
• For concerns regarding students, reports can be made to our Division of Student Affairs: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?VirginiaCommonwealthUniv 

2. Policy Certification: 

The Division of Student Affairs has developed materials and instruments to notify personnel responsible for the enforcement of our policies.