Clemson University earns top rating for free speech

CLEMSON — It’s a one-two punch for students’ ability to speak out. Another leading South Carolina university has earned the top rating for free speech from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression.

Clemson University is one of only two schools in South Carolina, and one of only 67 nationwide, that earn a “green light” rating from FIRE. Green light ratings are reserved for institutions with no written policies that seriously imperil student free speech rights.

“We are proud to be recognized by FIRE for our commitment to freedom of expression, individual rights and meaningful dialogue here at Clemson University,” said Clemson President Jim Clements. “Our dedication to ensuring our students, and all of our Tigers, have freedom of expression is a part of who we are and represents our University values and our culture.”

In February, Clemson reached out to FIRE to discuss how it could improve its speech code rating, a “yellow light” at the time. Clemson received this rating because it maintained five policies that could potentially be used to discipline students for speech protected under the First Amendment. Over the next few months, FIRE worked with Clemson to revise policies governing student conduct, posting, and harassment to ensure none endangered protected expression.

Changing one word in the “purpose” provision of its student code of conduct made a world of difference for students’ ability to freely express themselves. Originally, the provision stated that Clemson students were expected “to show respect for civility, community and the rights of others and to exemplify the Clemson University core values of integrity, respect, diversity, patriotism, excellence and self-reliance.” Under the revised policy, students are encouraged to strive for these aspirational values. Now, the policy can no longer be used to punish students for uncivil or disrespectful expression that nevertheless falls within the bounds of the First Amendment.

Last spring, in advance of revising its written policies, Clemson’s board of trustees articulated the university’s commitment to free expression by adopting the “Clemson University Statement on Freedom of Speech.” This comprehensive statement promises students and faculty full First Amendment rights on campus. It also broadly affirms the intrinsic value of free speech on a university campus.

“These important changes mean the Clemson Tigers are free to roar knowing their First Amendment rights are secure and protected,” said FIRE Senior Program Officer Mary Griffin, who collaborated with Clemson to revise its policies. “FIRE is thrilled to see Clemson putting its money where its mouth is by enacting new, speech-protective policies to ensure students can speak freely on campus.”

The last seven schools to earn green light ratings are all from the South: the Georgia Institute of Technology, the University of Tulsa, Radford University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Louisiana Tech University, the University of South Carolina, and Clemson. The written policies at these seven schools protect the expression of more than 144,000 students.