Published August 22, 2024
Dear University Community:
With the start of the academic year quickly approaching, I would like to reiterate the university’s commitment to ensuring a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for all of our students, faculty, staff, guests and visitors.
As a public research university dedicated to upholding the tenets of the First Amendment, UB embraces our freedom to express differing viewpoints. In our pursuit of knowledge, we recognize the value of questioning our assumptions and considering a wide variety of views. As such, we respect the right to peacefully assemble and peacefully protest. Peaceful assembly and protest underscore the university’s identity as a marketplace of ideas. To serve in this capacity, the university must be free to carry out its education and research mission in a safe environment where all can learn, conduct research, work and recreate without disruption or interference.
Therefore, with guidance from the SUNY Office of General Counsel, UB has clarified our Time, Place and Manner policies regarding assembling, camping on campus and postings.
These draft policies, now under the 30-day university-wide review process, will be put into effect immediately.
UB’s clarified Assembling Policy speaks to UB’s commitment to allowing groups to assemble on campus. At the same time, assemblies cannot interfere with the university’s ability to carry out its research and education mission.
In addition, UB has clarified its Camping on Campus Policy. The establishment of, or the attempt to establish or maintain a temporary or permanent camping site at any location on university property, is strictly prohibited. Again, this policy underscores UB’s dedication to maintaining a safe and healthy campus environment.
Finally, UB’s Posting Policy ensures that recognized student organizations, university programs, departments and units that want to share information are able to do so. The posting policy clarifies that advertised information must comply with institutional policies and be accessible to the campus community.
For further questions about the draft policies, please read the FAQs posted in UB Now.
I would like to thank our entire university community for contributing to our climate of mutual respect at UB. By upholding our university values, we will realize our mission of excellence.
Sincerely,
Satish K. Tripathi
President
