Belleville, Ontario, December 17, 2018 – Loyalist College will be posting a new policy on free speech that has been endorsed by all of Ontario’s 24 colleges.
“The free exchange of ideas is fundamental to the success of higher education,” said Loyalist College President & CEO Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan. “We encourage the effective sharing of knowledge and respect for everyone’s right to express their opinions.”
The policy was developed by a task force of senior college leaders in collaboration with the College Student Alliance, legal experts and others. It was approved at a recent meeting of Ontario’s college presidents and is to be posted at every college by January 1.
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.
The policy describes the procedures for handling complaints and ensuring there is compliance. The policy also states that it is aligned with other college policies and they shall all be considered together. Once it takes effect on January 1, it will apply to the entire college community.
“Our graduates enter the workforce with the professional judgment that employers value,” said President Vaughan. “This new policy helps ensure our graduates are creative thinkers who have the expertise to land rewarding careers in the new economy.”
View the Policy Statement on Upholding Free Speech.
About Loyalist College
Loyalist is Ontario’s Destination College, empowering students, faculty, staff, and partners through experiential, industry cluster-based education, training and applied research programs. The College provides job-ready graduates for, and knowledge transfer to, industry and the community. When it comes to Ontario college graduates getting jobs, Loyalist is the top College in the province, according to KPI results, released November 2018. Of 2016-17 Loyalist graduates, 90.8 percent were employed within six months after graduation. Located on more than 200 acres in the beautiful Bay of Quinte region, the College is perfectly positioned between Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. Loyalist offers more than 70 full-time diploma, certificate and apprenticeship programs in biosciences, building sciences, business, community service, health and wellness, media studies, public safety, and skilled trades. Continuing education options are available through LoyalistFocus.com; including hundreds of online, distance and in-class courses; and through the College’s 100+ university transfer agreements. Loyalist is a key driver of social and economic health in eastern Ontario. It contributes 5.8 percent of the Gross Regional Product, representing $465 million annually to the regional economy – based on an October 2018 report by Emsi. For more information on Loyalist’s Belleville and Bancroft campuses and Port Hope satellite location, visit YoureGoingPlaces.com.
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Contact: Kerry Lorimer, Director, Marketing, Communications and Recruitment
Loyalist College, klorimer@loyalistcollege.com, 613-969-1913, ext. 2536