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Dear AU Community:

Thank you for the extensive feedback during the recent policy development process. The constructive dialogue in the four student, faculty, and staff forums, and the written comments contributed to new and revised policies that address key topics, provide important clarity and standards, and reflect perspectives from our community.

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Throughout the process, we heard important themes and questions from the community that we were able to address either by updating policy language or clarifying how certain aspects of the policies will be implemented. For both policies, we acknowledged the need to add language that assures our community members that personal viewpoints on political and other issues would never be a factor in how these policies are applied. Specific references to the university’s existing policies on free expression and discrimination were added to emphasize this point.

Additional updates to the facilities use policy include changing the term “Assigned Units” to “Designated Units” and clarifying that amplified sound and vigils are permitted on campus, so long as they don’t violate any other policies. The restriction on demonstrations within 20 feet of building entrances was removed and replaced with a clearer articulation of the limitations on demonstrations that is consistent with the standard set for disturbing the peace in DC law.

For the social media policy, community input sought further information about what university policies and adjudication procedures would be applied for personal accounts or registered student organization (RSOs) accounts. The updated language includes examples of policies, such as the Discrimination and Non-Title IX Sexual Harassment policy (among others) that apply and states that existing mechanisms in the student conduct code, faculty manual, and staff personnel policy will be utilized. Additionally, comments sought clarity about political statements or activity on official university social media accounts, including those of centers or departments. The updated policy provides additional specificity in this space. Finally, a question arose about defining different types of harassment in the digital space. We agree that this is an important issue and since the definition of harassment does not fall within the scope of the social media policy, we will continue to address this concern as we implement existing harassment policies. In addition, we will invite the community to provide input on upcoming proposed changes to the Title IX and the Discrimination and Non-Title IX Sexual Harassment policies.

Many faculty and staff expressed the importance of providing more education about expression and civic action. We will continue to engage the community through multiple channels, including the classroom, our The Civic Life initiative, and education sessions to further our collective commitment to learning about constructive dialogue, respectful disagreement, and the rights, responsibilities, and behaviors that are fundamental to being together in community.

As we have noted throughout the policy process and our community engagement, we will continue to review the new policies as they are implemented and make additional updates as necessary. We encourage you to continue to provide feedback to the responsible executive listed on each policy.

Thank you for your contributions to these important policies and to the well-being of our community.

Sincerely,

Bronté Burleigh-Jones
CFO, Vice President, and Treasurer
Responsible Executive for the Facilities Use Policy

Matt Bennett
Vice President and Chief Communications Officer
Responsible Executive for the Social Media Policy