Board of Visitors Revises Freedom of Expression, Use of University Facilities Policies

At the Sept. 13 meeting of the Longwood University Board of Visitors, the board voted unanimously to approve revisions to the Use of University Facilities and Freedom of Expression policies. These policies are largely similar to those passed at institutions around Virginia as a response to campus protests for Palestine in April and May.

Longwood University Dean of Students and Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Jen Fraley said in an interview with The Rotunda on Sept. 25 she did not believe the revised policy would limit student freedom of expression.

“It won't,” Fraley said. “As an educational institution, constitutionally, we are allowed to regulate free speech in terms of time, place and manner, and we do that through our freedom of expression policy. We tell people exactly what you can and you cannot do, so that people can know what the parameters are and then work within them.”

The revised Freedom of Expression policy adds in new guidelines in order to prevent disruptions to the normal work and living environment of Longwood community members, as well as activities of the University.

Board Member Brian Schmalzbach, appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin in 2023, said during the Sept. 13 meeting of the board, “These are good changes, and I think they're a good response to events in the last year.”

During the discussion period, Schmalzbach suggested an amendment to the language to clarify the revised policy applies to “material and intentional” disruptions for clarity. “As part of a university dedicated to the pursuit of truth and the development of citizen leaders, sometimes students and faculty will have to discuss things that will make some uncomfortable,” he said.

The revised policy, including Schmalzbach’s amendment, passed unanimously as part of the consent agenda.

The revised policy includes examples of “material and intentional disruption or obstruction,” such as blocking entrances, remaining in buildings or property after hours or notice to leave, interfering with pedestrian and vehicular traffic, among others. The revised policy also prohibits “obstruction, disruption, or attempt by physical force to cancel or discontinue speech by any speaker” or an attempt to disrupt viewers from observing the speech.

Fraley did note simply walking out of a speech is not prohibited, adding, “We're not going to force anyone to listen to something that they don't want to listen to.”

The Board of Visitors also revised the Use of University Facilities policy, prohibiting tenting on campus and inserting language clarifying university policy on masking to conceal identity. The revised policy says any person on campus “wearing a mask, hood, or other device whereby a substantial portion of the face is hidden or covered so as to conceal the identity of the wearer” must “establish their identity to the satisfaction of [an] Authorized University Employee” through an identification card or otherwise.

Fraley said the revised policy originated from various sources, such as law enforcement, University Counsel, and reviewed by administration officials. However, she said there “was limited student input” in the revisions, adding, “All Virginia institutions made these recommended changes, and so those occurred over the summer.”

She said students were informed of the revisions via two emails sent regarding the Student Handbook as part of a larger notice including several other policies. There was also an informational session for new students during New Lancer Days in conjunction with several other policies.

The revised Freedom of Expression policy can be found on page 45 of the Student Handbook, as well on Longwood’s website. The revised Use of University Facilities policy, referenced on page 85 of the Student Handbook, can also be found on Longwood’s website,