Freedom of Expression at Ohio State

Support and Policies

The university supports the freedom of speech and expression in upholding the academic motto of the institution, which is Education for Citizenship. The offices, departments and policies below support the rights of Ohio State’s students, faculty, staff, volunteers, visitors, community partners and program participants.

University Offices and Departments

Oval at Dawn

The Office of Institutional Equity exists to help the Ohio State community prevent and respond to all forms of discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct.

Oval seal

The Ohio State University Department of Public Safety provides law enforcement, security services, emergency management planning and other public safety services to create a safe and secure university environment.

Spring orton

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) is one of the oldest and most prominent offices of its kind in the nation. ODI supports the recruitment, retention and success of Buckeyes who enhance the diversity of the university.

Lincoln Tower

The Office of Student Life Student Conduct is focused on protecting student rights and helping to foster a safe and secure educational environment by upholding the standards of the university community.

Policies

South Oval

The right of expression is as necessary as the right of inquiry and both must be preserved as essential to the pursuit and dissemination of knowledge and truth. The university's commitment does not extend to harassment.

Oval aerial

The university is committed to building and maintaining a community to reflect human diversity and to improve opportunities for all.

Ohio Union

The Ohio State University is committed to building and maintaining a community to reflect human diversity and to improve opportunities for all.

Mirror Lake walkway

The Ohio State University takes seriously its role in promoting and supporting public discourse. We are steadfastly committed to protecting the First Amendment right to free speech and expression on our campuses.

Student Support Resources and Engagement

Oxley and the Library

The Education for Citizenship Initiative aims to inspire our Ohio State community to engage deeply, with integrity and respect, when expressing ideas and beliefs, be it in word or action.

Tulips near the Oval

The Office of Student Life's Counseling and Consultation Service provides a variety of services to support students' mental health, including drop-in workshops, individual counseling and group therapy.

Brutus Ohio Union

The Office of Student Life consists of more than 40 departments, all dedicated to creating the extraordinary student experience for every Ohio State Buckeye.

Student Legal Services

Student Legal Services created a Rights and Resources Guide for students to learn about and understand their rights to attend, organize, report or participate in protests.

Ohio Union west plaza

The graduate and professional student ombudsperson is an independent, neutral and informal resource for all graduate and professional students for resolving issues and conflicts, and for exploring options.

Faculty and Staff Support Resources

Oxley oval

Faculty who have questions about additional resources or how to resolve conflicts, whether related to expressive activity or anything else, may contact the faculty ombud.

The Shoe

If an employee has personal wellbeing concerns, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available.