We hope you are enjoying the start of the academic year!  

Every fall semester presents an opportunity for us to emphasize the University’s commitment to free expression for those new to our campus, and for those returning. 

Last spring, our campus experienced a heightened level of protest activity, as did many colleges and universities across the country. At Princeton, those protests reflected the wide range of protest activity allowed under our policies. They also underscored the importance of ensuring that protests do not significantly disrupt University operations and events, create a hostile environment, or otherwise violate the law.

You may be wondering whether Princeton’s policies relating to protests and demonstrations will change in light of last year’s activity. The short answer is: no. Our expansive commitment to free speech—which includes peaceful dissent, protest, and demonstrations—remains unwavering. Likewise, our viewpoint-neutral time, place, and manner rules, as well as the rules prohibiting discrimination and harassment, have served us well and remain substantively unchanged. In a few areas, we have clarified policies to provide additional detail that will help all members of our community understand expectations. 

To make it easier for our community to understand our rules, and the reasons for them, we have compiled key policies in a single Protests and Free Expression website. The goal of this site is to increase awareness and understanding in the community about Princeton’s protest policies. It also serves an important role by reminding community members about policies that apply to them.

Please take some time to review and share this new resource. Any questions or concerns should be directed to the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students, which is responsible for providing campus-wide support for the exercise of free expression at Princeton.

Protests and demonstrations that may be contentious often arise during periods of upsetting national and global events. University resources and guidance for navigating times like these are compiled at this website, Campus Resources for Difficult Times. We encourage you to visit it and use the resources noted there.

With continued respect and care,

W. Rochelle Calhoun, Vice President for Campus Life
Michael Gordin, Dean of the College 
Gene Jarrett, Dean of the Faculty
Michele Minter, Vice Provost for Institutional Equity and Diversity 
Rod Priestley, Dean of the Graduate School 
Romy Riddick, Vice President for Human Resources