Policy Governance

University Senate Committee for Open Expression

The University Senate, subject to the powers vested in the president of the university and the Board of Trustees, has the function and jurisdiction to review any change in existing policies or the establishment of new policies relating to matters of general university interest. To that end, it established the University Senate Committee for Open Expression.

The University Senate Committee for Open Expression Responsiblities

Members of the University Senate Committee for Open Expression are appointed by the University Senate to:

  • Provide education and training to the community about issues of speech, debate, open expression, protest, dissent, and other related matters
  • Provide resources and referrals to appropriate campus colleagues, as necessary
  • Regularly review this policy, its applicability, and recommend changes to the University Senate as necessary
  • Report annually on the status of the committee’s work for presentation to the University Senate and made available to the community
  • In addition to investigative responsibilities held by university offices including Student Conduct and Department of Equity and Civil Rights Compliance, the committee may investigate alleged infringements of the rights of community members concerning expression.
  • Take other actions as necessary to effectuate this policy and its principles.

Members of the University Senate Committee for Open Expression

The University Senate Committee for Open Expression consists of 13 members:

  • Four Faculty Members
    • At least one faculty should be from one of the Woodruff Health Sciences schools (Medicine, Public Health, Nursing, or the Emory National Primate Research Center).
  • Three Staff Members
  • One representative from Campus Life
  • Five student members
    • At least two students must be undergraduates and at least two students must be graduate or professional students.
    • All of the graduate or professional students must represent different academic divisions of the institution.
    • One member of Student Government Association’s Constitutional Council.

Under the advice and consent of this Committee, Oxford College of Emory University may assemble its own Committee, which must include students, to support, promote, and protect Open Expression at Oxford.