Ontario colleges including Loyalist, have a new Free Speech Policy.
Quinte News spoke with Loyalist President Dr. Ann Marie Vaughn on the document.
Vaughn says schools will be responsible for determining the difference between hate speech and free speech.
Vaughn says colleges and universities have to allow for open debate.
She says it helps the creative process.
According to the College, the following will be implemented, once the Free Speech Policy starts in the new year.
The policy statement is primarily based on the University of Chicago’s Statement on Principles of Free Expression and has five core elements:
- A definition of freedom of speech.
- A commitment to allow open discussion and free inquiry.
- A statement that it is not the colleges’ role to shield members of the college community from ideas with which they disagree.
- A statement that while members of the college community are free to contest the views of others, they must also respect the rights of others to express their views.
- An affirmation that speech that violates the law is not allowed.
Dr. Ann Marie Vaughn’s full interview with Quinte News can be heard below.
President of Loyalist College Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan and Belleville Police Chief Ron Gignac (Photo: Amanda Smith/ Quinte News)
