Freedom of speech is not only an important individual right, it’s essential to a healthy democracy and absolutely vital to the core mission of the university. As a public university, IUP is committed to the ideals of free speech protected by the US Constitution's First Amendment.
When everyone has freedom of speech, it means that we may be exposed to mean, hurtful, or even offensive comments. It may seem odd or unfair that the First Amendment protects offensive speech, but freedom of speech is a two-way street. If my right to express my ideas is protected, it means that others who vehemently disagree with me can also express their ideas.