As an urban, Catholic, liberal arts University, Rockhurst has a responsibility to its own academic community and to the larger community beyond its campus boundaries. Among its major responsibilities to its students, Faculty, and administration is its unwavering commitment to the search for truth. This search requires a free and open exchange of ideas which may be drawn from a wide variety of traditions and from many different viewpoints. The University’s commitment as Catholic obviously means a deep interest in Catholic thought and presupposes that Catholic viewpoints will be effectively presented. But far from precluding free and thorough investigation, Rockhurst’s Catholic orientation demands freedom of inquiry and the penetrating search for truth wherever it may be found.
Therefore, since knowledge, understanding, and insight are gained not only from discussion within the academic community but from a wider exchange, Rockhurst encourages the invitation of outside speakers to the campus to share ideas and insights with students and other members of the University community. There is no limitation on the ideas to which the academic community may be exposed, but this does not imply absolute freedom with regard to the manner of speaking or the advocacy of clearly illegal or immoral actions. Consequently, students are encouraged to broaden their horizons by inviting persons who can contribute to the educational goals of the University.
The University expects, of course, that proper advance arrangements will be made in accordance with the procedures outlined below, that suitable accommodations will be provided for the guest, that the program will be conducted in a manner appropriate to an academic community, and that responsibility will be assumed for any effects which follow upon the program or the conduct of the speaker. Obviously, the kind of conduct which restrains either the freedom of expression or the freedom of movement of others who may not agree, or which is disruptive of University operations, is unacceptable in an intellectual community and a democratic society.
The education of its students is certainly Rockhurst’s primary responsibility and, consequently, every effort must be made to provide a balanced and varied program so that the students can encounter a wide range of viewpoints in many different areas of thought.
As an urban center of learning, the University also recognizes a responsibility to the larger community to share with it the ideas of significant guest speakers. This responsibility is not the same, of course, as that which affects the campus community itself. The circumstances of size, diversity of age, background, and so forth, necessarily preclude the kind and extent of discussion and interchange possible within the University’s own academic community. Therefore, not all speakers presented to the University community will be appropriate for a general audience.
It should be clearly understood that the presence of guest speakers on campus does not imply approval or endorsement, either by the University or any sponsoring organization, of the views expressed.
I. Procedures
- The University itself or any officially recognized University organization may sponsor lectures or discussions. No individual and no unrecognized group may invite outside speakers to the Rockhurst campus. (This policy does not concern teachers in their own classrooms.)
- Rockhurst University-sponsored lectures: Lectures which are open on a formal basis for the entire student body and/or the public and which are arranged through the Visiting Scholar Committee or by an official of the University designated by the President are subject to the approval of the President of the University.
- Organization-sponsored lectures:
I. Student closed-forum lectures: Officially recognized student organizations may invite any outside speaker for a closed-forum lecture to their own organization, provided the organization moderator gives approval. This type of lecture is not to be publicized off campus
II. Student open-forum lectures: Officially recognized student organizations may invite outside speakers to the campus for an open-forum lecture, i.e., open to the Rockhurst academic community (students, Faculty, and administration), provided the organization moderator and the Vice President for Student Development give approval. The Vice President for Student Development, in keeping with the policy outlined above, will not refuse permission for a speaker unless there are extraordinary circumstances for doing so, such as the clear and present danger of physical harm, or an evident violation of the stated general policy. This type of lecture also is not to be publicized off campus.
III. Student sponsored lectures open to the public: Officially recognized student organizations may invite outside speakers to the campus for lectures to both the Rockhurst academic community and the general public, provided the organization moderator and the Vice President for Student Development give approval. Although the responsibility of the University with regard to the larger community is not the same as for its own students and Faculty, and the University must exercise discretion in supplying a platform for lectures open to the public, the Vice President for Student Development will refuse permission for this type of lecture only for weighty reasons and in accordance with the general policy stated above.
IV. In the event that the request of a recognized student organization for an outside speaker is refused under II or III above, the organization may appeal the decision to the Speaker Appeals Committee. The Speaker Appeals Committee shall consist of two administration members, two Faculty members, two student members, and the Moderator of the Student Senate. The Vice President for Student Development shall be Chairman of this committee in a non-voting capacity. In cases of appeals for lectures open to the general public, two persons from the outside community, nominated by the President of the University and approved by the Speaker Appeals Rockhurst University Faculty Handbook Page 88 Committee for regular three-year terms, will serve on the committee in addition to the members of the regular Speaker Appeals Committee.
V. In I, II., and III. Above, the time and place of the lecture must be scheduled in writing through the Vice President for Student Development’s office and the organization concerned must assume full responsibility for all proper arrangements and for any financial obligations involved. Before a speaker is invited under II. And III., the Vice President for Student Development must be consulted and a written request submitted.
VI. Advertising for organization-sponsored lectures must explicitly state that the lecture is sponsored by that particular organization and not by the University itself and should specify the audience for which the lecture is intended.