The first amendment provides Americans with the right to freedom of speech and the right to assemble. Although this right is written in the constitution, private institutions are an exception. The University of San Francisco is one of many private institutions that regulate student demonstrations. “All demonstrations must comply with USF campus policies and guidelines […] Campus demonstrations and/or protests must be sponsored by a recognized USF community member or group” (University of San Francisco). Strict guidelines are put in place in order to ensure the safety and inclusion of the overall educational environment. Throughout the years, this has caused discourse and has raised questions among some members of the student body and university faculty.
Amid constant demands for change, such as the continuing demands for the liberation of Palestine, the primary concern for USF community members is maintaining their freedom to openly share perspectives with each other, along with calling attention to important matters. Honors Rhetoric professor, recalls the restrictions placed on our students’ ability to protest in 2024 amid demonstrations against the violence in Gaza. Particularly, in response to the encampment established in 2024, the university added a guideline stating that: “ All demonstrations must comply with USF campus policies and guidelines. We cannot permit encampments or similar structures on campus grounds, regardless of the cause they are intended to support.”(University of San Francisco)
Although recognizing University administrators’ wish to foster an unproblematic environment, the interviewed staff member claimed to disagree with the idea of silencing student voices. According to the faculty member, opportunities for students to express concerns, especially in hopes to create change, are important to having discussions and allowing room for learning, which is already advertised by the university: “I mean, our slogan is ‘Change the World From Here.’” It’s argued that as an institution, our advertising should not promote an idea without allowing room to follow through. “Change the World From Here” has existed since 2011 and is listed on the University’s website as a call to action as well as an invitation to share the school’s mission of social justice. An argument is being made against this invitation.
Current students on campus are expressing negative feelings after learning about USF’s campus policies, adding restrictions to how freely demonstrations can occur. As discussions involving the need to freely voice opinions on campus continue, students hold the university accountable to maintain a safe environment, without heavily silencing their students. Among the students expressing concerns regarding USF’s demonstration policies is sophomore Neuroscience major, Aisha Kamara. “I feel it’s a way to restrict students or have them refrain from wanting to arrange or go to a protest… If they’re seeing there’s a bunch of loop holes they have to go through, they’re just going to see that it’s not worth it.” Kamara calls attention to the possibility of students developing a fear towards protesting altogether with strict policies on campus. Rather than encouraging students to engage with social issues, Kamara perceives USF’s demonstration guidelines as an obstacle, preventing students from attempting to create change altogether. Second year Politics major, Agi-Fana Jobe also takes a similar stance, wanting more freedom of expression for community members on school grounds. “I believe that USF requiring students to ask for approval before holding certain protests defeats the purpose of what a protest is supposed to be. Protest are meant to challenge the status quo, create disruption, and force people and institutions to pay attention to issues they might otherwise ignore.” While university policies may intend to establish safety and minimal conflict, students like Jobe argue that having to endure an approval process can disrupt the purpose of protesting.
As the conversation regarding USF’s protesting guidelines continue, the concern remains centered on finding a reasonable balance between maintaining a safe campus environment, while allowing students to express their views without feeling heavily restricted.
Current students on campus are expressing negative feelings after learning about USF’s campus policies, adding restrictions to how freely demonstrations can occur. As discussions involving the need to freely voice opinions on campus continue, students hold the university accountable to maintain a safe environment, without heavily silencing their students. Among the students expressing concerns regarding USF’s demonstration policies is sophomore Neuroscience major, Aisha Kamara. “I feel it’s a way to restrict students or have them refrain from wanting to arrange or go to a protest… If they’re seeing there’s a bunch of loop holes they have to go through, they’re just going to see that it’s not worth it.” Kamara calls attention to the possibility of students developing a fear towards protesting altogether with strict policies on campus. Rather than encouraging students to engage with social issues, Kamara perceives USF’s demonstration guidelines as an obstacle, preventing students from attempting to create change altogether. Second year Politics major, Agi-Fana Jobe also takes a similar stance, wanting more freedom of expression for community members on school grounds. “I believe that USF requiring students to ask for approval before holding certain protests defeats the purpose of what a protest is supposed to be. Protest are meant to challenge the status quo, create disruption, and force people and institutions to pay attention to issues they might otherwise ignore.” While university policies may intend to establish safety and minimal conflict, students like Jobe argue that having to endure an approval process can disrupt the purpose of protesting.
