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Free Speech at the University of Kentucky

At the University of Kentucky, the dissemination of ideas, debate and open inquiry are essential to our mission. We work to create space for the many voices on our campus and ensure that we are fostering conversations among broad and divergent perspectives.

As a public institution, we must uphold First Amendment freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly and petition — no matter the perspective — while ensuring safety.

As such, outdoor spaces on UK’s campus are designated public forums by law but are subject to reasonable time, manner and place restrictions. Community members and students may exercise their free speech rights in public areas in a peaceful and organized manner.

Demonstrations may:	Demonstrations may not:
Be peaceful Involve signage and flags that are not attached to a stick, pole or other object Involve marching and chanting Distribute hand-outs and flyers Express viewpoints, opinions and beliefs Exist in appropriate areas and between the hours of 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Take place in public outdoor areas, subject to time, manner and place restrictions (see FAQ) Take place in indoor areas with prior reservation and approval	Interfere with or disrupt university operations, such as classes, meetings and events Block building entrances, building exits, sidewalks or roadways Take place in certain outdoor areas without prior reservation. View a list of locations requiring a reservation here Include threats, violence or incite unlawful activity Involve weapons or other prohibited items including poles and sticks Use tables, displays, images or amplified sound except in designated outdoor areas with prior reservation Involve tents, camping or use amplified sound without prior approval Involve littering or vandalization

Demonstrations may:

Demonstrations may not:

Be peaceful

Involve signage and flags that are not attached to a stick, pole or other object
Involve marching and chanting

Distribute hand-outs and flyers

Express viewpoints, opinions and beliefs

Exist in appropriate areas and between the hours of 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Take place in public outdoor areas, subject to time, manner and place restrictions (see FAQ)
Take place in indoor areas with prior reservation and approval

Interfere with or disrupt university operations, such as classes, meetings and events

Block building entrances, building exits, sidewalks or roadways
Take place in certain outdoor areas without prior reservation. View a list of locations requiring a reservation here

Include threats, violence or incite unlawful activity

Involve weapons or other prohibited items including poles and sticks
Use tables, displays, images or amplified sound except in designated outdoor areas with prior reservation

Involve tents, camping or use amplified sound without prior approval

Involve littering or vandalization

More information on regulations governing the time, place and manner of meetings, demonstrations and other assemblies is available here. Additionally, the UK Office of University Events can answer questions and provide support in coordinating events and reserving space.

We ask that all campus community members express themselves with civility and respect for others. We are committed to maintaining a safe campus for all — one where everyone’s rights are protected.

Frequently asked questions

The First Amendment protects the freedom of religion, press, assembly, the right to petition the government and nearly all forms of speech. This includes demonstrations, rallies, vigils, marches and distributing printed materials.

The First Amendment, while it certainly protects speech that is widely accepted and celebrated, also protects speech that could be considered offensive and unpopular.

It is not the place of public universities to censor the speech of people on campus or to favor one idea over another.

The university's role is to maintain a safe and neutral environment for learning, discovery and debate.

Not all speech is protected by the First Amendment. Speech on our campus cannot incite violence or unlawful activity. Any expression that constitutes a threat, harassment or defamation is also not protected.

Hate speech is often described as any form of expression through which speakers intend to vilify, humiliate or incite hatred against a group or class of persons.

Unlike many other countries that ban hate speech, the U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly said that hate speech is constitutionally protected.

However, any expression that constitutes a threat, harassment or defamation, or incites unlawful activity is not protected under the First Amendment. Additionally, UK prohibits discrimination between members of the university community through its Administrative Regulations. Students and employees can report discrimination and harassment to the UK Office of Equal Opportunity. Threats and unlawful activity should be reported to UK Police.

We honor the free expression of ideas and opinions by also ensuring that we are creating and sustaining a community of belonging for everyone — ensuring that all can make their voices heard safely, regardless of who they are, what they look like, what they believe or who they love. In other words: our work to uphold free speech rights and our commitment to fostering a community of belonging depend upon each other.

While outdoor spaces are generally designated public forums, certain outdoor locations require reservations. All indoor spaces also require reservations.

As always, registered and sponsored student organizations, faculty and staff and official alumni groups may reserve university space and facilities and may invite external groups and individuals as speakers, co-hosts or attendees.

These groups can reserve space via meetatbigblue.uky.edu and receive additional resources by reaching out to University Events.

When university officials become aware of a demonstration or protest, the UK Police Department will arrive on-site to ensure the demonstration can continue safely and peacefully. If you have questions or concerns related to safety during an event or demonstration, reach out to a UKPD officer on site.

Students may reach out to the Dean of Students Office: 859-257-3754, deanofstudents@uky.edu.

Employees and community members may reach out to freespeech@uky.edu.

Our top priority is the safety of our campus community. During demonstrations, our Office for Student Success and University Events work very closely with the UK Police Department to ensure the safety of our students, faculty and staff.

Administrative Regulation 9:1 stipulates that expressive activities may not involve the erection of structures including tents without prior approval. More information on temporary structures in the context of other situations can be found here.

Additionally, as stipulated by AR 9:1, camping is prohibited except at locations and at times designated by the Executive Vice President for Finance & Administration. Individuals who engage in camping may be charged under Kentucky’s unlawful camping statute, which went into effect July 2024.

Throughout the year, many guest speakers come to speak on campus. It is important to note that only the president or their designee speaks on behalf of the university and any other speakers do not represent the views of the institution. Those speakers, often invited by student or faculty groups — not the university itself — are afforded the same free speech rights as others on our campus so long as they follow UK policies.

Yes, members of the student body, faculty and/or staff may distribute written material on behalf of a registered student organization, a college or a department. Announcements, statements or other non-commercial materials can be distributed at any outdoor area on campus. More information around written and distributed signs and material can be found in the UK Signage Policy.

The university does impose Time, Place and Manner restrictions on demonstrations that take place on campus. You can find more information in Administrative Regulation 9:1.

While we must uphold the right to free speech, the university is entitled to impose restrictions based on time, place and manner to ensure that our mission and core functions are not disrupted. You can find more information in Administrative Regulation 9:1.

Throughout the year, many guest speakers come to speak on campus with a variety of views.

All speakers, often invited by student or faculty groups, are afforded the same free speech rights as others on our campus so long as they follow UK policies. While their content may be unfavorable to certain groups in our community, it is important to note that only the president or his designee speaks on behalf of the university and any other speakers do not represent the views of the institution.

No, freedom of speech does not give someone the right to drown out the words and speech of others or disrupt events.

Phone	859 257-9000
Emergencies	911 / #UKPD(#8573)
UKPD Dispatch	859 257-1616
Environmental Health & Safety	859 257-1376

Free Speech at UK

Free Speech at the University of Kentucky

Demonstrations may:

Demonstrations may not:

Frequently asked questions

What speech is protected by the First Amendment?

What is UK’s stance on freedom of expression and free speech?

What is not protected by the First Amendment? What crosses the line of unprotected speech?

Why is hate speech protected?

But doesn’t the university say it is a safe and welcoming campus?

How do I reserve a space for a demonstration at UK?

Why are there police officers at a demonstration on campus?

Who can I talk to if I have a concern about freedom of expression and/or free speech at UK?

How do you ensure the safety of our campus community members during demonstrations and protests?

What is the university’s tent policy?

Why does the university allow speakers with polarizing views to speak at UK?

Can I distribute written material on campus?

Do the policies around freedom of expression restrict activity in certain areas of campus?

What are Time, Place and Manner restrictions?

How does the First Amendment right to free speech apply to speakers and speech who may be considered unfavorable by certain groups?

Can people who oppose a speaker’s message use their own freedom of speech to drown out the speaker’s words?