Free Speech at Cal Poly

It’s Your Right, Voice It

As a university committed to intellectual exploration and civic engagement, Cal Poly has long celebrated the diverse voices of our community and continues to embrace the right to free speech and free expression.

We recognize that peaceful protest has played a vital role in shaping dialogue and the progress of our campus and our nation, and as a public university, Cal Poly is committed to continuing our evolution by supporting and encouraging the free expression of ideas, values and opinions, even if they are different than our own.

This website is a resource to all students, faculty and staff who are looking to share their voice and engage in meaningful dialogue. Here you can find guidance and information on your rights as well as Cal Poly’s expectations and CSU policies.

Time, Place and Manner

Though committed to upholding free speech rights, Cal Poly must also maintain a learning and working environment where all members of our community—students, faculty and staff—can thrive. To that end, it’s important that demonstrations are conducted in a way that honor both the right to speak out and the university’s need to provide a safe, inclusive and uninterrupted educational, residential and workplace experience. The CSU’s interim Time, Place and Manner policy is in place for that very reason.