At Georgia Tech, one of our strategic values advocates safeguarding freedom of inquiry and expression. As such, we hold the First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech, freedom of expression, and the right to assemble peaceably as an essential cornerstone to the advancement of knowledge and the foundation of a lively, healthy democracy. Through the free exchange of ideas, Georgia Tech students learn to see the world from different perspectives, question their own beliefs, hone their critical thinking skills, and develop their own unique viewpoints.
However, the right to free speech also comes with responsibilities. It means respecting the rights and opinions of others, even if they differ from your own. It means being open to new ideas, even if they challenge your beliefs. And it means engaging in respectful dialogue, even when opinions clash. It means defending the rights of others to express themselves – even if what they say angers or even offends you. This site includes resources to help Yellow Jackets understand both their rights and responsibilities while at Georgia Tech.
Introduction to Freedom of Expression
When is Hate Speech Protected Speech? Another Look at Freedom of Expression
What Does Freedom of Expression Mean to You? (Part One)
What Does Freedom of Expression Mean to You? (Part Two)
Georgia State Laws on Freedom of Expression
HB 1
On May 3, 2022, Governor Brian Kemp signed into law HB1, known as the FORUM (Forming Open and Robust University Minds) Act. It prohibits USG campuses from creating restricted “free speech zones” and concurrently defines all unrestricted outdoor spaces as public forums for the campus community to use for expressive activity. USG campuses are allowed to regulate expressive activity on the basis of time, place and manner (the procedures are linked above), but enforcement cannot be driven by the content or viewpoint expressed. In fact, according to USG policy:
“USG and its institutions shall foster an environment where all members of the USG community are free to share ideas and opinions, even those that some may find offensive. Ideas and opinions should be openly and freely debated and discussed, both inside and outside of the classroom, without fear of suppression or reprisal. The USG community should promote intellectual debates, not close them off, and must uphold the values of civility and mutual respect while doing so…. Individual members of the USG community shall not attempt to prevent or otherwise interfere with the free expression of others, no matter how objectionable they may find the expressed ideas or opinions.” (Source: University System of Georgia, Board of Regents Policy Manual, https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653 )
HB 30
HB 30 was signed into law by Governor Kemp on January 31, 2024. HB 30 offers a definition of antisemitism that can be considered when ascertaining whether there was discriminatory intent in any criminal action under the 2020 Hate Crimes Act. Specifically, HB 30 notes that antisemitism includes harassment on the basis of actual or perceived Jewish origin, ancestry, ethnicity, identity, affiliation, or faith. In assessing whether discrimination or hate crime has occurred, the bill further requires State agencies to consider the following definition of antisemitism and associated examples of antisemitism adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) on May 26, 2016, and incorporated by reference in Presidential Executive Order Number 13899, 84 F.R. 68779 on December 11, 2019.
Hate crimes carry higher penalties if an offender is found guilty, so this bill is significant. However, HB 30 also clarifies that people’s rights to engage in protected expressive activity cannot not be curtailed as a result; First Amendment protections regarding freedom of expression still prevail.
Where to Report a Concern
If you are faculty, staff, or a student and believe that your freedom of expression is being infringed upon, you can report the concern as follows:
- Faculty: Contact Kyla Ross, Assistant Vice Provost for Advocacy and Conflict Resolution, kyla.ross@gatech.edu
- Staff: Contact GTHR’s Employee Relations department, employee-relations@ohr.gatech.edu or email your college/divisional Human Resources Representative
- Students: Contact the Office of the Dean of Students, vp_sewb@gatech.edu
The University System of Georgia also offers an Ethics & Compliance Reporting Hotline (Ethics Line) for use by any members of the USG community.
Additional Resources for Learning
- Provost’s Office Freedom of Expression for faculty and staff
- University System of Georgia Freedom of Expression Training (2018)
- State of Georgia HB1: Forming Open and Robust University Minds (FORUM) Act effective July 1, 2022
- Bipartisan Policy Center, Campus Free Expression: A New Roadmap (November 2021)
- Constructive Dialogue Institute, Free Speech & Inclusion: How College Students Are Navigating Shifting Speech Norms (September 2023) – webinar
- Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), Guide to Free Speech on Campus
- Knight Foundation, College Student Views on Free Expression and Campus Speech (July 2024)
- PEN America, Campus Free Speech Guide
Initiatives in Support of Freedom of Expression
Perspectives by CDI
Beginning August 2025 per University System of Georgia Board of Regents policy, all new, incoming Georgia Tech students – both undergraduate and graduate (including fully-online) – will be required to complete training in civil discourse. To meet this requirement, Georgia Tech has partnered with the Constructive Dialogue Institute (CDI) to offer the asynchronous online course, Perspectives. The course is comprised of six consecutive modules. These modules do not need to be all completed in one sitting; students can set a pace that matches their own personal preference and schedule.
All students required to take this course will receive an invitation to complete this course via email in August from the Vice President for Student Engagement & Wellbeing. Students have until December 31, 2025, to complete the course in its entirety. Student who do not complete the course will have a hold placed on their academic record, which impacts their ability to register for courses or to access other student-related privileges.
At Georgia Tech, one of our strategic values advocates safeguarding freedom of inquiry and expression. Through the free exchange of ideas, Georgia Tech students learn to see the world from different perspectives, question their own beliefs, hone their critical thinking skills, and develop their own unique viewpoints. In addition, the ability to communicate effectively across differences is a key aspect of promoting belonging within a community.
This online course is designed to equip students with valuable skills to engage in meaningful conversations across differences in background, cultural beliefs, ideas, or opinions. Developing these skills helps to reduce the possibility of future interpersonal, organizational, and campus conflicts. Strengthening our community, through dialogue and disagreement, is an essential responsibility of being a Yellow Jacket!
Campus Kiosks
In keeping with our legal obligations to support freedom of expression, Georgia Tech must provide adequate avenues for individuals to engage in expressive activity. To this end, in January 2025, Georgia Tech installed designated posting areas for students and other members of the GT community to share information.
Specifically, three kiosks have been installed at the following locations:
- Next to Smithgall Student Services (Flag Building) and the Divine Nine Plaza;
- On the southwest corner of Tech Green facing the Campanile; and
- On the southeast corner of Tech Green facing Skiles.
The guidelines for use of these kiosks (along with use of indoor bulletin boards on the 1st and 2nd floors of the John Lewis Student Center) can be found at this link hosted by Student & Campus Event Centers. Questions about these kiosks can be directed to vp_sewb@gatech.edu.
Volunteer Observer Program
The Volunteer Observer Program was established in Fall 2024 to help support the rights to free expression and inquiry for all members of the Georgia Tech community. Volunteers include trained staff and faculty who partner with the Georgia Tech Police Department and Student Engagement & Well-Being during expressive activities and events around campus – both impromptu and planned. Serving as neutral, non-law enforcement observers, these volunteers help mitigate the likelihood of disruptions and safeguard free speech rights, as well as provide offer education, emotional support, and eyewitness reporting.
If you are a faculty or staff member at Georgia Tech and would like to volunteer, or if your department is hosting an event and would like to request that Volunteer Observers be present, please email vp_sewb@gatech.edu.