Aloha Yellow Jackets,

As you open this month’s newsletter, many of you have either already experienced - or soon will – the midterm milestone. Celebrate that you have made it this far. With self-care, self-compassion and the willingness to ask for help (click on the link above for the Student Resource Guide), you can continue to survive and thrive throughout the Fall term!

I want to thank the students who joined our inaugural Real Talk Thursdays event earlier this month or submitted questions. These monthly gatherings are designed to maintain ongoing dialogue between students and administration in an open, town-hall style format. We meet on the second Thursday of each month from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Ehmer Theater, located in the John Lewis Student Center. The next Real Talk is Thursday, October 9th.

In this issue of our monthly newsletter, we will cover the following topics:

• Understanding Our Rights and Responsibilities Around Freedom of Expression
• Campus Safety & Emergency Preparedness: What You Should Know

Understanding Our Rights and Responsibilities Around Freedom of Expression
These last several weeks have brought a visible, wide array of expressive activity to campus – whether via visiting speakers, exhibits, flyers, or social media. As a result, our office and others across campus have received complaints and inquiries.  

I want to address some of the most common questions I’ve heard from students about freedom of expression, as well as offer clarity around the rights you hold, the responsibilities that come with them, and the principles that guide our approach. My hope is that this Q&A will empower you to engage confidently and courteously in the exchange of ideas, while also understanding the boundaries that help keep our community an authentic place of learning and inquiry.

Can you give us a warning when expressive activity is taking place?
Georgia Tech is committed to upholding the US Constitution’s First Amendment and the Georgia FORUM Act. The latter designates most outdoor spaces on campus as public forums. In accordance with our time, place and manner procedures, expressive activity can take place in these public forums in a planned or spontaneous manner. GT has established a practice that it will not provide advance notice to the campus community about any particular expressive activity – what is sometimes referred to as a “trigger warning.”

What may be unwelcome to one person may be embraced by another. The university is supposed to be a free marketplace of ideas – including those opinions and perspectives with which any individual may disagree or despise. As the educator Clark Kerr once stated, “The purpose of the university is to make students safe for ideas – not ideas safe for students.” (Kerr was the 12^th president of the University of California System.)

Therefore, we cannot provide notice about any one activity without providing notice about every activity, which would clog up students’ email inboxes more than they already are. Instead, as an institution of higher education, we help prepare students to live, work, and lead in the world we share. This includes learning how to analyze, critique, and question ideas and perspectives even while you may have a strong negative reaction.

If I'm upset by something I see or hear, or feeling psychologically unsafe due to expressive activity, where can I get support?
Because we safeguard freedom of expression and inquiry does not mean that we cannot also demonstrate care, concern and compassion for the GT community. We recognize that expressive activity can sometimes be emotionally challenging, especially if it does not align with one’s own personal beliefs or values. We have multiple avenues of support:

• Center for Mental Health Care & Resources – The Center offers short-term counseling, crisis intervention, and mental health workshops. Call (404) 894-2575 or visit Suite 238 in the Smithgall Student Services Building. 
• Dean of Students Office – Staff assist with personal emergencies and advocacy. Call 404-894-2565 during business hours or 404-894-2500 after hours to reach the Dean-on-Call. 
• Belonging & Student Support - The team promotes social connection, builds community, fosters civil discourse, and sponsors engagement opportunities to advance holistic student success and well-being. All students are welcome. Visit them in Smithgall Student Services (Flag Building), Suite 102 A & B.
• Volunteer Observers – These are trained staff and faculty who offer neutral, impartial emotional support and education during expressive activities. They will be wearing badges and be visibly present during many events, both outdoors and indoors. They also work in close collaboration with GT Police Department to reduce the likelihood of conflict or escalation of tension.
• Vice President’s Office – Students can also reach out to my office via vp_sewb@gatech.edu to express concerns or request assistance.

What is the line between free speech and hate speech?
Under U.S. law and University System of Georgia policy, speech—even if offensive or upsetting—is generally protected unless it crosses into unlawful conduct, such as threats, harassment, or incitement to violence. That is a very high bar to reach to cross into unlawful conduct. Hate speech, while deeply hurtful, is not illegal if it does not meet that high and narrow threshold. Our role is to foster an environment where ideas can be freely exchanged, while also promoting civility, encouraging respect for human dignity, and offering emotional support for those affected.  For more on hate speech as free speech, please view this educational video.

However, if you believe any hate speech rises to the level of harassment or discrimination (see Georgia Tech’s non-discrimination and anti-harassment policy) then you may file a report using this online form.

The speech is not consistent with my values. Why are you allowing it?
Freedom of expression means protecting speech—even when it challenges our beliefs or values. Georgia Tech does not regulate speech based on content or viewpoint. Instead, we enforce time, place, and manner restrictions to ensure safety and welfare, as well as minimize disruption to our educational mission and administrative operations. Upholding this principle is essential to academic freedom and a civic engagement. It also means defending the rights of others to speak, including when we disagree.

However, just because we allow speech does not in any way mean we espouse the views being expressed, nor does it mean that we endorse the opinions being promulgated. Individuals engaged in expressive activity on and around our campus are welcomed; however, they are not sponsored by the Institute or represent us. Rather, Georgia Tech’s values, beliefs, and positions are conveyed via official Institute communication channels and through activities/events that the Institute hosts.

What is one way I can improve my ability to have tough conversations?
I encourage you to take the Perspectives course, offered through the Constructive Dialogue Institute. This free, asynchronous online program helps students build skills for engaging in compassionate conversation and in discourse that honors the dignity of others – even across differences. It’s part of our broader effort to support freedom of inquiry and expression at Georgia Tech.

All new/incoming students (undergraduate and graduate) received an invitation to complete the course as part of mandatory training for first-year Georgia Tech students.  Continuing students can email vp_sewb@gatech.edu to receive a link to access the course at no charge.

Campus Safety & Emergency Preparedness: What You Should Know

In light of recent incidents of violence on college campuses across the country, I know many of you are feeling a heightened sense of concern about active threats in particular and campus safety in general. At Georgia Tech, we take these concerns seriously and remain committed to promoting a secure, prepared, and resilient campus environment.

Here are some of the key resources and systems in place to support your safety:

Georgia Tech Emergency Notification System (GTENS)
GTENS is our official emergency alert system. It sends real-time updates via text, voice, email, digital signage, and social media during critical incidents.

• Students, faculty, and staff can sign up or update contact info via passport.gatech.edu.
• Parents and guardians can opt in by texting GTPARENT to 67283.
  Learn more about GTENS here.

Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)
Georgia Tech has a comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan that outlines how we respond to various emergencies—from severe weather to active shooter situations. This plan includes building-specific “Redbooks,” venue response plans, and protocols for evacuation and shelter-in-place.

As a reminder, if you ever perceive an imminent danger or threat to you or others, call 911 immediately or dial 404-894-2500 if you are on campus.

LiveSafe App
Download the LiveSafe app to report suspicious activity, access emergency contacts, and receive safety alerts in real-time. It’s a powerful tool for staying informed and connected.

Safety Training & Education
The Georgia Tech Police Department (GTPD) offers free courses such as: CRASE (Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events), Stop the Bleed, and self-defense courses. All GTPD courses can be found via this link.

To request a training by a member of GTPD or learn more, email outreach@police.gatech.edu.

Mental Health & Emotional Support
We recognize that safety includes emotional and spiritual wellness. If you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed:

• Visit the Center for Mental Health Care & Resources
• Contact the Dean of Students Office for advocacy and support

We all share responsibility for helping to co-create a campus where students, faculty and staff can feel safe to pursue their academic, professional and other endeavors. If you identify concerns or issues that you believe need to be addressed, don’t hesitate to alert us so we can follow-up and address as warranted. And, if anything seems amiss or suspicious, be sure to let us know! You can contact GTPD at outreach@police.gatech.edu or Student Engagement & Well-Being at vp_sewb@gatech.edu.

Fall Break is October 6^th and 7^th – I hope you take the time to relax, rejuvenate and (re)connect with family, friends, fur babies, nature, or anything else that brings you joy and fills you with gratitude.

Go Jackets!