Augustana University holds that freedom of speech and expression is a human right, recognized as such in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the United States Constitution. This right should be circumscribed only in rare cases by governments, universities or other institutions.
Augustana’s commitment to freedom of speech and expression advances the university’s mission to challenge the intellect and foster integrity through spirited and respectful encounter and authentic engagement with difference. We hold, in addition, that freedom of speech and expression is essential to the pursuit of wisdom, to genuine understanding among diverse individuals, to defending justice and opposing injustice, and to the creation of art, literature and music.