Blueprint for Reform: Ensuring Freedom of Association on Campus is a policy guide for state legislators and university trustees. It underscores the fundamental right of students to freely form and participate in organizations that reflect their beliefs and interests, advocating for policies that protect this freedom within higher education institutions.
Key Recommendations:
- Maintain Viewpoint Neutrality: Universities should apply consistent criteria when evaluating funding proposals and recognition requests for student organizations, ensuring decisions are made without bias toward the content or viewpoint of the group’s expressive activities.
- Presumptive Recognition and Funding: Institutions should automatically recognize and fund student organizations unless their purpose involves engaging in or inciting criminal activities or poses threats to the physical safety of others.
- Provide Written Explanations and Appeals Process: When recognition or funding is denied, universities must offer written explanations and establish an appellate process for student organizations to challenge such decisions.
- Protect Organizational Autonomy: Student organizations should have the authority to set their own membership and leadership criteria, allowing them to require adherence to the group’s sincerely held beliefs and standards of conduct.
These recommendations aim to uphold students’ rights to freely associate and express diverse viewpoints, fostering a vibrant and inclusive campus environment that respects individual liberties.
