Free Speech and Collective Responsibility

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff, 

Grinnell College is a global institution, one where events happening thousands of miles away are likely to personally impact students, staff, and faculty.  We are a community where more than 60 languages are spoken, which represents more than 40 nationalities, and which includes a broad diversity of ethnicities and religious affiliations. Over the past 24 hours, multiple messages have been sent through college platforms. The College does not endorse the content of these communications. It is with this context in mind that I am writing to remind you of our rights and responsibilities regarding free speech and protest as members of the Grinnell College community. 

Free speech and protest are critical rights within a democracy. As an institution, we affirm the right to assembly and support free speech and expression in the form of protest and demonstration. Consistent with the College’s educational mission, which requires free inquiry and an open exchange of ideas, we believe that a liberal arts education requires exposure to diverse perspectives and respectful engagement in debate, discussion, and dialogue.   

As members of this community, we simultaneously have responsibilities to each other.  We have a responsibility to sustain an environment free from harassment and discrimination.  We have a responsibility not to impede access to the educational experience, disrupt classes and learning, when they are so very needed, or otherwise create an environment that infringes on others’ rights or causes damage to people or property. We have a responsibility to respect others by being thoughtful and mindful of using campus resources and platforms – including email and BlackBoard – and spaces in ways that may infringe on both College policies and their intent, which is to secure each student’s right to pursue academic work without disruption and feel that they have equitable access to spaces and resources.  

Global events affect each of us differently, based on lived experience.  Loss of human life, conflict, and war elicit intense opinions and responses.  As we express our points of view, our anger, heartbreak, and the other complex responses that these events elicit, we must remember that those who see things differently are also human beings. They, too, are entitled to their responses and opinions and deserving of our respect. 

I am grateful to those in our community who are doing the work necessary to ensure that these values and principles continue to be upheld, so that we can come together as Grinnellians in all of our diverse opinions and ideas. 

Sincerely,  

Anne F Harris 
President