WSU is committed to fostering a campus environment that promotes the free exchange of ideas while upholding principles of respect, inclusivity, and equity. Digital and online is ever present in modern society and it may impacts members of our community, whether or not the speaker is a member of our community. Speech may be personal, academic, or political, or it could be harassing, hateful, and harmful. As such, it is helpful for WSU community members to understand their rights and responsibilities for digital and online speech, as well as know relevant resources.
Freedom of speech is a fundamental principle that underpins our academic mission and democratic society. WSU is committed to protecting the rights of individuals to express themselves freely in digital and online spaces, consistent with the principles of academic freedom and the First Amendment.
Protected forms of digital and online speech may include:
- Expressing opinions, viewpoints, and ideas on social media platforms, blogs, and other digital forums.
- Engaging in civil discourse, debate, and discussion on matters of public concern.
- Sharing information, news, and creative expression through digital media channels.
- Participating in online activism, advocacy, and community organizing efforts.
While we uphold the principles of free speech, it is essential to recognize that certain forms of speech may infringe upon the rights of others or create a hostile or discriminatory environment. WSU prohibits speech that constitutes harassment, discrimination, and threats of violence, whether offline or online. For more information, please see the WSU Policy Prohibiting Discrimination and Harassment, Business Policies and Procedures 50.30 Workplace Violence, and the WSU Standards of Conduct for Students. Employees should also comply with the WSU Ethics Policy, as it relates to political speech (see Employee Speech for more information).
For more information on other forms of speech that do not have constitutional protections, visit Freedom of Speech at WSU.
Prohibited forms of online or digital speech can be reported to the university. If you experience or witness behavior that you believe violates WSU policies, we encourage you to report as follows:
- Discrimination and harassment: Report to Compliance and Civil Rights, ccr@wsu.edu, 509-335-8288, Online Reporting Form
- Student harassment (non-discriminatory)/threats of violence: Center for Community Standards, community.standards@wsu.edu, 509-335-4532
- Employee harassment (non-discriminatory)/threats of violence: Human Resource Services, hrs@wsu.edu, 509-335-4521, Workplace Violence Incident Report
- Criminal harassment or other criminal behavior: Contact your local police department. For emergencies, dial 9-1-1.
Upon receiving a report of prohibited speech, WSU will respond following the relevant policies and procedures. Depending on the nature and severity of the violation, disciplinary actions may be taken, including education, mediation, sanctions, or referral to law enforcement authorities.
In addition to enforcing our policies on digital and online speech, WSU is committed to promoting digital citizenship and responsible online behavior among our campus community. We have all seen negative and harmful speech online, and as a community, we strive to do better. We count on Cougs to navigate digital spaces safely and ethically, while respecting the rights and dignity of others. We encourage WSU community members to:
- Respect others: Treat others with respect and dignity, even if you disagree with their opinions or viewpoints. Avoid personal attacks, insults, or derogatory language, and focus on addressing ideas and arguments rather than personal attacks.
- Think before you post: Take a moment to consider the potential impact of your words before posting them online. Ask yourself whether your comment is constructive, respectful, and contributes to meaningful dialogue. Avoid posting impulsively or in anger, as this can lead to unintended consequences.
- Verify information: Before sharing news articles, information, or other content online, take the time to verify its accuracy and credibility. Avoid spreading misinformation or fake news, and be cautious of sharing content that may be biased or misleading.
- Engage in civil discourse: Listen to others, ask questions, and respond thoughtfully. Avoid confrontation behavior. Where possible, try to find common ground.
- Report violations: If you encounter behavior that violates university rules, consider reporting to the appropriate department.
- Promote inclusivity: Strive to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all participants in online speech forums.
- Remember that online speech lasts a long time: Being thoughtful about your online speech may benefit you long term. Consider whether you would want a future employer or friend to see the speech you put online.
- Protect yourself: Although there may be situations where communicating sexual information or intimate photographs is consensual, remember that revenge pornography and leaked photographs harm individuals daily. Make sure the recipient of any intimate communications is trustworthy.