September 6, 2024
Know your resources: Free speech and expressive activity at K-State
Submitted by the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
The 2024 U.S. presidential election is in full swing. Ads are cluttering the airwaves, our phones are buzzing with polling opportunities, and the potential is increasing for conversations among friends, family, classmates and acquaintances to become more thought-provoking — and maybe even a bit challenging.
Elections naturally and inevitably raise to the surface a myriad of deeply held passions and emotions. But the truth is, these sentiments are always present. Our heightened awareness of these sentiments, however, affords us an opportunity to intentionally explore our beliefs, passions and emotions through both civic engagement and civil discourse. K-State is committed to fostering free expression through a constructive, robust exchange of ideals.
As you engage in events and dialogues this semester, we want to ensure that you know the resources available to you, the support services that are here for you, and the policies and guidance that provide guardrails for safe and respectful discourse at K-State. That's why we worked across the university community this summer to create a free speech and expressive activity webpage that highlights all of this and more.
As you navigate the election season and any circumstance that brings you face to face with ideals that are in alignment with or different than your own, understand that your university community is here for you. Belonging to this community doesn't mean that all of us must be alike, think alike and believe alike; in fact, it's quite the opposite. We value the different perspectives that enrich and deepen our conversations and learning environments, and as a community, we are committed to engage in free speech and expression with respect, civility and an awareness for the inherent dignity and value of every person who calls K-State home.