Student Safety and Free Speech FAQs

No, we have not had incidents of violence or unrest on our campuses, but we have heard from students and parents that they are worried that what is happening elsewhere could occur at Miami. Our students’ safety and well-being is our top priority.

To scan for potential threats to our community, the Miami University Police Department maintains frequent contact with local, state, and federal authorities and law enforcement, including the FBI.

To be clear: Miami University will not tolerate any acts of violence or threats of violence for any reason, including those motivated by bias on race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability, on our campuses, and we will hold accountable the perpetrators of such crimes. Violence and true and direct threats of harm are not protected forms of expression and will be addressed by law enforcement.

Miami is committed to cultivating a welcoming and safe environment for all students, faculty, and staff, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and socioeconomic background.

To scan for potential threats to our community, the Miami University Police Department maintains frequent contact with local, state, and federal authorities and law enforcement, including the FBI.

University leadership, along with members of Miami University Police Department, have been present at all registered on-campus events, including protests, hosted by Students for Justice for Palestine, Hillel: Association of Jewish Students, and Chabad Jewish Student Group.

We have regular contact with our students who update us regularly on what is occurring on campus. We are also in contact with the leadership of various organizations. We meet regularly with the President and Vice President of Associated Student Government (ASG) to gather information on campus climate.

We have prioritized providing support and care for all of our affected students at this time. University leadership has met with several student groups in addition to meeting with individual students.

The Dean of Students Office hosts monthly forums to discuss campus climate and other topics that are important to students. The Dean of Students, Dr. BaShaun Smith, is also meeting with students weekly over lunch to discuss how students are feeling and how his office can be of support.

• The Dean of Students has an open door policy for students and many students have stopped by his office to discuss their concerns.
• We are educating students on their rights and responsibilities as it relates to freedom of expression.
• We have attended vigils held on campus by Jewish and Palestinian students.

Miami’s Office of Transformational and Inclusive Excellence (OTIE) continues to develop and include educational resources for the Miami community on antisemitism, Islamophobia, Interfaith Dialogue, and other forms of bias. These resources are designed to be accessible to students and available through the OTIE webpage.

Dr. Cristina Alcalde, the vice president of OTIE, meets regularly with Hillel at Miami’s executive director to provide support, collaborate on programming, and research external educational opportunities to attend. In addition OTIE:

• Launched an Interfaith Dialogue Series, in collaboration with Kent State University, to better educate our community on interfaith dialogue.
• Met with the president of Students for Justice in Palestine (SPJ) to discuss their well-being, concerns, and how to support all students.
• Launched Inclusive Community Care Days to provide quiet spaces for all students to focus on self-care. These spaces include snacks and activities for reflection and/or distraction.
• Organized an “Unpacking Antisemitism on College Campuses Today” workshop in collaboration with American Jewish Council (AJC) for DEI leadership Councils, Miami President’s Executive Cabinet, and Miami deans.
• Is planning a visit for leadership and councils to The Nancy and David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center in Cincinnati, as well as exploring other educational opportunities focusing on antisemitism and Islamophobia.

On Oct. 30, we hosted an open forum where all students – including those from Students for Justice in Palestine, Hillel: Association of Jewish Students, and Chabad Jewish Student Group – attended and shared their experiences. The event was peaceful and respectful, unlike many of the events at other universities that we have read about or seen on television. To support our students and ensure safety, University leadership, along with a member of Miami University Police Department, have been present at all on-campus events hosted by Students for Justice for Palestine, Hillel, and Chabad.

The University, through OTIE, is hosting a Zoom workshop, "Unpacking Antisemitism on College Campuses Today," on Dec. 5 to provide campus leaders (PEC, Deans, DEI Leadership Councils) with needed tools and strategies to support students.

Additionally, the university is in regular communication with many faith and ethnic community leaders. During this time, we have sought perspective from them, as well as understanding about how to best support our students who are part of their communities.

University leadership has attended community group meetings to which they have been invited, including a Hillel at Miami panel with Jewish parents and students, a forum with Chabad and Hillel students, and Shabbat, to speak with many students, employees, and community members. University leaders and staff members also attended recent antisemitism workshops and trainings from Hillel at Miami and Hillel International.

Miami’s Office of Equity and Equal Opportunity (OEEO) thoroughly investigates reports of harassment and discrimination, particularly cases related to protected classes such as religious discrimination. These reports are taken seriously by the OEEO as we strive to foster a community where everyone feels welcomed and respected.

We care about the mental health and well-being of every member of our community and are committed to supporting each and every member of our Miami community who is feeling threatened or uneasy during these volatile times. We encourage you to look out for one another and to seek support as needed through the University resources listed below.

Oxford Students: Support resources are available through Student Counseling Service, including the 24/7 H.O.P.E. Line, as well as through the Office of the Dean of Students, the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion, and International Student and Scholar Services.

Regional Students: Support resources are available through Regional Campus Counseling, Regionals Dean of Students, and Regionals Diversity Office.

We encourage our university community to learn more about the history and effects of antisemitism and Islamophobia, as well as about the conflict in the Middle East, including the history of many of the slogans and images that have caused conflict between campus communities. You can find resources and information about antisemitism, Islamophobia, bias, interfaith work, and other topics here.

While we are disheartened that hate speech can occur on campus, and we acknowledge the incredible hurt that it brings, we cannot prohibit it. As a public university, we must abide by the Ohio Revised Code, Campus Free Speech Policy (Section 3345.0215), which states "Although a state institution of higher education should greatly value civility and mutual respect, concerns about civility and mutual respect shall never be used by an institution as a justification for closing off the discussion of ideas, however offensive, unwise, immoral, indecent, disagreeable, conservative, liberal, traditional, radical, or wrong-headed those ideas may be to some students or faculty."

Although the First Amendment and Ohio Revised Code protects hate speech, Miami University condemns hate speech in the strongest possible terms. Hate speech is wholly inconsistent with our values of diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence. While we respect a person's right to free speech, as an academic and intellectual community, we must stand united against those who attempt to elevate themselves by degrading others, and must reject bigotry, racism, slurs, and hate speech.

Though all students and student organizations are free to express themselves subject to the University's time, place and manner restrictions, that does not mean that the university or our leadership endorses or agrees with those messages.

Further information can be found on our Freedom of Expression page, including a helpful FAQ page.

Yes. The First Amendment and Ohio law protect the rights of all students to engage in freedom of expression at Miami University, which is a public university.

Just as the First Amendment protects a speaker's right to express their views, it also protects the right of individuals to assemble peaceably in protest. However, a protest that causes material disruption or violence is not protected. The University strongly encourages protestors to follow the lawful instructions of police officers or University officials working in connection with an event. This may include directions to prevent destruction of property or crowd dispersal where it is necessary to preserve public safety.

Reasonable time, place, or manner regulations apply to protest activity. It is important to read and understand the University's policies and procedures with respect to Use of University Property. These regulations are designed to prevent disruption of the University's educational mission and to safeguard the security of the campus community.

Lastly, University policy —such as the Code of Student Conduct— may apply to protester activity depending on the circumstances. For example, protestor conduct that causes serious disruption or incites others to commit violence or property destruction may have disciplinary and legal consequences.

No. While we are disheartened that hate speech can occur on campus, and we acknowledge the incredible hurt that it brings, we cannot prohibit it. As a public university, we must abide by the Ohio Revised Code, Campus Free Speech Policy (Section 3345.0215), which states "Although a state institution of higher education should greatly value civility and mutual respect, concerns about civility and mutual respect shall never be used by an institution as a justification for closing off the discussion of ideas, however offensive, unwise, immoral, indecent, disagreeable, conservative, liberal, traditional, radical, or wrong-headed those ideas may be to some students or faculty."

Although the First Amendment and Ohio Revised Code protects hate speech, Miami University condemns hate speech in the strongest possible terms. Hate speech is wholly inconsistent with our values of diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence. While we respect a person's right to free speech, as an academic and intellectual community, we must stand united against those who attempt to elevate themselves by degrading others, and must reject bigotry, racism, slurs, and hate speech.

Though all students and student organizations are free to express themselves subject to the University's time, place, and manner restrictions, that does not mean that the university or our leadership endorses or agrees with those messages.

Further information can be found on our Freedom of Expression page, including a helpful FAQ page.

In general, Miami University cannot prevent speech because it is likely to provoke a hostile response. Stopping speech before it occurs due to the potential reaction to the speech is often referred to by courts as the "heckler's veto" and is a form of "prior restraint." Prior restraint of speech is almost never permitted.

Courts have clarified that a recent history of unrest does not necessarily mean that violence will occur at a future event, nor does it provide grounds for the University to deny the speaker the ability to speak. The courts have recognized that free speech can be imperiled if those who oppose a speaker's message can prevent the speech from occurring. Instead of denying a controversial speaker the ability to speak, free speech anticipates that those who oppose a speaker should have the ability to engage in counter speech.

The University is required to do what it can to protect speakers and group and individual rights to freedom of expression, and prevent disruption or violence. Although the University is committed to fulfilling these obligations, if despite all efforts by the University there is a serious threat to public safety and no other alternative such as moving an event can sufficiently address the threat, an event may be rescheduled or canceled.

The Miami University news site has a page with University Statements here.