The Universities of Wisconsin offers academic freedom and free expression training resources for incoming first-year and transfer students. These resources are designed to meet UW RPD 4-21, which requires training on academic freedom and free expression as a part of new student orientation. The training introduces students to core principles of free expression in higher education, including the value of civil discourse and the legal and institutional boundaries that shape expression on campus.
The Office of Civic Engagement (OCE) partners with universities across the system by providing training resources, engagement opportunities, and support for annual compliance reporting to ensure alignment with RPD 4‑21.
Fundamental Expressive Rights in a Higher Education Context:
Academic freedom protects university community member rights to teaching, learning, and off-campus expression that is free from government censorship.
Freedom of expression, guaranteed by the First Amendment, protects the rights of all citizens to express ideas and views free from government censorship.
While there are exceptions to these protections, the exceptions are narrow.
Learn more by reviewing the training modules below:
Module 1 – Commitment to Academic Freedom and Free Expression
This video is an introduction to the training modules.
Module 2 – Introduction to Free Expression and Academic Freedom
Students learn about rights they have to learn and speak as citizens on matters of public concern.
Module 3 – Importance of Academic Freedom and Free Expression
Students learn why academic freedom and freed expression are essential to the mission of the Universities of Wisconsin.
Module 4 – Limits on Academic Freedom and Free Expression
Students learn about the types of speech that are and aren’t protected by the First Amendment.
Module 5 – Time, Place and Manner Regulations
Students learn about the power government has to regulate the time, place, and manner of speech.
Module 6 – Commitment to Civil Discourse
Students learn about the importance of civil discourse in the exchange of ideas.
Module 7 – Review and Resources
A review of the previous modules with additional resources for students.