Free Expression at GW Law

GW Law follows the University’s free expression policies and procedures. As an academic institution dedicated to the search for truth through teaching, learning, research, and scholarship, we are and must be committed to free expression. Particularly in a law school setting, the robust and uninhibited expression of ideas, including those that may be controversial, provocative, or unpopular, is essential for the development of the law and for the training of effective and responsible advocates and counselors.

The means of free expression may include robust debate, demonstrations, and protests, subject to the following conditions:

Access to facilities and events of the Law School or the University may not be blocked;
Operations and events of the Law School or the University, such as classes, meetings, library services, exams, quiet study spaces, interviews, ceremonies, and public events, may not be disrupted; and
Safety of members of our Law School and University community, and visitors to our community, may not be compromised.

Expression that violates the law, is defamatory, constitutes a genuine threat or harassment, or that unjustifiably violates substantial privacy or confidentiality interests is not protected under the free expression policies and guidelines.

The Law School recognizes that the interest in free expression applies to the Law School’s students, faculty, and staff. Employees of the Law School who engage in expressive activity must be clear that they speak for themselves and not for GW or GW Law, and must take care that any free expression activities do not impede their ability to perform fully their Law School responsibilities.

Violations of policies and procedures related to free expression are subject to discipline under the Code of Student Conduct, the Faculty Code, and the Employee Handbook.

For additional and more specific information and elaboration, please visit the following links to broadly applicable University policies and guidelines, each of which applies also to GW Law:

Academic Freedom at GW Law

The Law School recognizes and celebrates the critical importance of academic freedom to the school’s ability to meet its mission to impact the law through the education and training it provides and through the research, scholarship and leadership of its faculty. The Law School endorses and adopts The George Washington University Guidelines for Exercising and Defending Academic Freedom and Article II (Academic Freedom) of the Faculty Code. The Law School recognizes that these principles of academic freedom: (1) apply to all full and part-time faculty, as well as all others teaching Law School courses; and (2) apply to conducting research, publishing scholarship, engaging in Law School governance, participating in law related public service activities, curating library collections and providing information services, and exercising teaching responsibilities, including those related to client representation in clinical programs. Any claim of a violation of academic freedom shall be adjudicated in accordance with due process principles, as set forth in Article X of the Faculty Code and Section E of the accompanying Procedures for the Implementation of the Faculty Code, including notice, hearing, and appeal rights.