Hello Students, Faculty, and Staff,
Welcome to a new academic year at UNH! This is always an exciting time, filled with energy, ideas, and the promise of discovery. As we step into this new chapter together, we want to take a moment to reflect on something that sits at the heart of our university’s mission: the value of free speech and expression.
At UNH, we believe that the freedom to speak, question, challenge, and listen deeply is not just a constitutional right, it’s a cornerstone of our academic community. As part of our commitment to free speech we continue our efforts to educate and support our community around these essential principles.
We encourage everyone to build their capacity to tolerate contrary viewpoints and work constructively with those they disagree with both on and off-campus. To support this commitment, we’ve created several resources:
Last year we launched a frequently asked questions page and a free speech and expression page on the topic of speech and expression.
The Community Standards website has detailed information regarding your rights and responsibilities.
Our Freedom of Expression and Guidelines on Peaceful Dissent policy has our guidelines in full.
The Community Standards website also launched a site on the history of due process and student conduct - offering valuable context for our ongoing efforts to uphold student rights.
Last year, President Chilton launched a free speech landing page with resources related to speech for all members of our community.
We hope you’ll see our policies and resources not as a set of limitations but as an open invitation to role model curiosity, engage in courageous dialogue, and engage in the kind of inquiry that defines what it means to be part of a vibrant university.
Thank you for taking the time to reflect on these essential values with us. We’re glad you’re here, and we wish you a bold, thoughtful, and fulfilling start to the year.
Sincerely,
Kenneth Holmes
Vice President of Student Life
Michael Blackman
Dean of Students
Alexis Piñero-Benson
Director of Community Standards
