Civil Discourse

The Universities of Wisconsin strive to cultivate an environment where living, learning, and working are embraced by mutual respect.

Regent Policy Document (RPD) 4-21, states, “All members of the university community at each of the institutions in the University of Wisconsin System share in the responsibility for maintaining civility and a climate of mutual respect.”

Civil discourse is the open, respectful exchange of ideas that deepens understanding and supports collaborative problem-solving. It invites people with diverse perspectives to listen actively, question assumptions, and seek common ground without hostility, personal attacks, or coercion.

Discourse encompasses dialogue, discussion, deliberation, and debate, all of which can promote inquiry exchange of ideas, and deeper understanding.

Civil Discourse Resources

The Discussion Project
Learn more about UW-Madison’s Discussion Project, which aims to strengthen campus-wide capacity to create welcoming, engaging, and academically rigorous classroom environments in which students experience productive classroom discussions on important issues and topics.
Constructive Dialogue Institute
Explore CDI’s resource library which offers research reports, tools, guides, and more. One to highlight is the Transforming Conflict on College Campuses Discussion Guide.
Dignity Index
Dignity.us offers general resources to foster dignity principles. The dignity index helps campuses navigate conversations and aims to equip students, staff, and faculty with handling disagreement.
Center for Civic Education
The Center for Civic Education has compiled The Civil Discourse: An American Legacy Toolkit, designed for higher education use. It lays the groundwork for engagement in civil discourse models for a variety of topics.
National Issues Forums Institute
National Issues Forums Institute (NIFI), is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that serves to promote public deliberation about difficult public issues. Check out the tools and issue guides.
National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement
Let Freedom (and Respect) Ring: fostering civil discourse and free speech in the classroom and beyond offers modules that address fundamentals of engaging with new ideas.

Note: Links to external sites are provided for informational purposes and not meant to convey an endorsement of the Universities of Wisconsin.

Learn about policies and legal resources at Universities of Wisconsin campuses. Certain laws, regulations, and policies apply to every UW institution regarding civil discourse, including the following: 

  • The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and Article I, Sections 3, 4, 18, and 19 protect the freedom of expression of those subject to U.S. and Wisconsin law, respectively. 
  • Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter UWS 17 governs “Student Non-Academic Misconduct;” Chapter UWS  18 governs “Conduct on University Lands;” and Chapter UWS 21 governs the “Use of University Facilities.” Neither chapter can prohibit conduct or use that is speech protected by the constitutional provisions above. 

Some universities have created university-specific websites that offer resources and guidance. 

Learn More about Policy and Guidance

Policy & Legal Resources

Policy & Legal Resources

Certain laws, regulations, and policies apply to every UW institution regarding civil discourse, including the following:

  • The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and Article I, Sections 3, 4, 18, and 19 protect the freedom of expression of those subject to U.S. and Wisconsin law, respectively.
  • Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter UWS 17 governs “Student Non-Academic Misconduct;” Chapter UWS  18 governs “Conduct on University Lands;” and Chapter UWS 21 governs the “Use of University Facilities.” Neither chapter can prohibit conduct or use that is speech protected by the constitutional provisions above.
  • Board of Regents Policy Document 4-21 expresses the Board’s “Commitment to Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression.”

Some campuses have created websites regarding civil discourse that are accessible at the links below:

To facilitate civil discourse, campuses are encouraged to adopt policies governing the following areas below, which include links to actual policies adopted by campuses.

Please note: Campuses are not required to adopt any particular policies listed below, except as expressly provided for by the laws, regulations, and policies outlined above.

Use of Space

UW-System

  • Wisconsin Administrative Code

UW-Eau Claire

UW-Madison

UW-Milwaukee

UW-Parkside

UW-Platteville

UW-River Falls

UW-Stout

Stout Policies (76-3: Facility Use)

Events

UW System

  • Wisconsin Administrative Code Section UWS 18.08: Personal conduct prohibitions
    • (2) Athletic events
    • (6) Physical security compliance
    • (12) Ticket scalping

UW-Madison

UW-Milwaukee

UW Oshkosh

UW-Parkside

Student Organization Sponsoring Off-Campus Event Policy

University Event Admission Policy

University Event Security Policy

Demonstrations & Disruptive Behavior

UW System

  • Wisconsin Administrative Code
    • Section UWS 17.09: Conduct subject to disciplinary action. (8) Disruption of university-authorized activities.
    • Section UWS 18.08: Personal conduct prohibitions. (6) Physical security compliance.
    • Section UWS 18.10: Offenses against public safety
    • Section UWS 18.11: Offenses against public peace and order.
      • (2) Disorderly Conduct.
      • (4) Picketing, rallies, parades, demonstrations and other assemblies.
      • (5) Sound-amplifying equipment

UW-Madison

UW-Eau Claire

UW-Milwaukee

UW-Parkside

UW-Stout

UW-Whitewater

Protest Guidelines

Postings & Signage

UW System

  • Wisconsin Administrative Code Section UWS 18.08: Personal conduct prohibitions. (9) Postings and Signage.

UW-Eau Claire

UW-Green Bay

UW-La Crosse

  • UWLax Policies
    • D-12: Directional Signs
    • D-13: Publicity Signs
    • C-9: Posting Signage

UW-Madison

UW-Platteville

UW-River Falls

UW-Stevens Point

Posting/Promotions Policy

Literature Distribution

UW System

  • Wisconsin Administrative Code Section UWS 18.11: Offenses against public peace and order. (8) Selling, Peddling and Soliciting.
  • Wisconsin Administrative Code Section UWS 18.11: Offenses against public peace and order. (9) Campaigning in State-Owned Residence Halls.

UW-Eau Claire

UW-La Crosse

UW-Madison

UW-Parkside

Solicitation Policy

Campus Sales, Solicitation, and Fund Raising

Discrimination & Hate Bias Incidents

UW System

  • United States Code
    • Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
    • Age Discrimination in Employment Ace of 1967
    • Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
    • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
    • Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978
    • Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
    • Family and Medical Leave Act of 1992
  • Wisconsin Statutes
  • Wisconsin Administrative Code, UWS 1 to 22
  • Board of Regents Policy Documents Sections 14 & 17.

UW-Eau Claire

UW-Green Bay

UW-La Crosse

UW-Madison

UW-Milwaukee

UW Oshkosh

UW-Parkside

UW-Platteville

UW-River Falls

UW-Stevens Point

UW-Stout

UW-Superior

UW-Whitewater

Hate Bias Reporting

Harassment & Stalking

UW System

UW-Eau Claire

UW-Green Bay

UW-La Crosse

UW-Madison

UW-Milwaukee

UW Oshkosh

UW-Platteville

UW-Parkside

UW-River Falls

UW-Stevens Point

UW-Stout

UW-Superior

UW-Whitewater

Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Policy