President’s statement on free expression and caring for our campus

A university is a special place; a vital pillar in a democratic society. As we work together to provide students with a transformative education, at the core of Mount Royal University’s mission are two fundamental commitments that must coexist: free expression and our care and concern for every member of our campus community.

We must recognize that free expression and compassion are not opposites, but rather complementary principles essential to a flourishing academic mission. Universities are intellectual commons for the free inquiry of ideas. Our function is to encourage the open exchange of ideas, beliefs, and opinions, even when those ideas are thought by some to be offensive, immoral or wrongheaded. We do not suppress presentations or debate based on the content of the views being expressed, which is consistent with Canadian law and our Expression and Free Speech Policy. It is not our role to shield members from ideas they may disagree with; rather, it is to encourage civil discourse and debate of contested ideas.

We are a community grounded in shared values, civility, and respect for human dignity. We all share a responsibility to see each other as individuals, not just as embodiments of a viewpoint, and to act with care, kindness and respect. In this spirit, I applaud those organizing events or panels to facilitate conversations beyond a like-minded circle. True intellectual growth stems from voices that challenge us, not those that echo us. Our professors role-model this growth every day. Whether in the classroom or through research, they exercise academic freedom to analyze complex issues and combat disinformation, all while remaining grounded in a sincere search for knowledge.

In an increasingly polarized world, contentious global and political debates inevitably cascade onto our campus. I am often asked to condemn or support specific views, persons, or events, or to make institutional statements that render judgment on complex world issues. Members of our campus community are not expected to maintain a neutral position on issues. I firmly believe MRU's institutional role is to ensure there is space for expression, not to arbitrate it. As an institution, MRU remains largely neutral on issues over which we have no direct control. Our collective purpose is to facilitate debate, not to seek to end it with a presidential decree. The proper response to ideas one opposes is not to suppress the speech, but to openly and vigorously debate it. It is for individuals, students, faculty, and staff to exercise their critical judgment on the quality of the ideas expressed.

Mount Royal’s campus is fundamentally a space for teaching, learning and research for its students and faculty, helping build our broader communities. While we embrace our civic role as a public space, we must also protect the integrity of our internal dialogue. When external voices are invited or insert themselves into campus dialogue, we must uphold that they neither represent nor supersede the views of our campus community.

We also recognize that care and concern for our community members includes addressing threats, discrimination, and hate speech as outlined in MRU’s Expression and Free Speech Policy. We are firmly committed to maintaining a campus environment free from unlawful discrimination and harassment.

When ideas clash and words cause offence, we can, and we must, do the hard work of leading with empathy and compassion. This is more than a suggestion; it is a fundamental expectation of being part of the Mount Royal community. We must take care of each other. This means acting as stewards of one another's well-being and ensuring that our campus remains a place where everyone, regardless of background or beliefs, feels they belong and can participate in the life of the university. I offer three practical suggestions on engaging in meaningful dialogue:

• Listen actively: Take the time to genuinely listen to understand each other's perspective, without immediately formulating a rebuttal.
• Focus on humanity: Remember that the person across from you is a colleague, friend, fellow human, with all their complexities and frailties, not simply a political leaning.
• Find common ground: Focus on shared goals and treat one another with dignity throughout the discussion.

I have heard from many of you about the conflicts here and abroad that have deeply impacted you, and I hear you when you look to the University for support. I see members of our campus community support others through acts of care and concern every day, and it gives me great hope.

Let us continue to support each other and ensure that free expression and care and concern coexist at Mount Royal University.

References:

• Collective Agreement between The MRFA  and The Board of Governors of Mount Royal University
• Mount Royal University's Expression and Free Speech Policy

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does “freedom of expression” mean people can say anything on campus?

While we protect a wide range of speech, free expression is not absolute. It does not protect speech that violates Canadian law, such as hate speech, or speech that constitutes unlawful discrimination or harassment. Our commitment to open inquiry must always coexist with our legal and ethical obligations to maintain an educational environment.

 

Why won’t the University or the President take a stand on certain global events?

If the University takes an official position on a political or social issue, it can inadvertently chill the speech of those on campus who hold a different view and signal to those individuals that their perspectives and, by extension, their presence are less valued within the university community. While the University retains the right to take a stand on any issues, by not taking a position, the University can leave space for students and faculty to explore, debate, and research all sides of an issue without fear of institutional repercussions. To be clear, the University or the President has not always remained neutral in the past, but will be very mindful of taking positions in the future, while remaining true to our overarching values.

 

What is the expectation for event organizers regarding “opposing voices”?

We believe that university life should challenge us. When planning a speaker series or a panel, we ask organizers to consider: “Are we only hearing one side?” Bringing in experts or speakers who disagree (providing they are acting in good faith and within the parameters of Canadian law, and not promoting harmful ideas) doesn't just fulfill a principle; it creates a much richer, more rigorous educational experience for the audience.

 

How can I engage with someone whose views I find deeply offensive?

We encourage leading with empathy. This involves:

• Listen actively: Take the time to genuinely listen to understand the other's perspective, without immediately formulating a rebuttal.
• Focus on humanity: Remember that the person across from you is a colleague, friend, fellow human, with all their complexities and frailties, not simply a political leaning.
• Find common ground: Focus on shared goals and treat one another with dignity throughout the discussion.

 

Does “taking care of each other” mean we have to agree?

Not at all. Debate is a natural part of a healthy democracy. “Taking care of each other” means that even in the heat of a disagreement, we maintain respect for human dignity. It means ensuring that our debates don't devolve into personal attacks and that we remain mindful of our community members' emotional and mental well-being.

 

Do you condone forms of harmful points of view?

No, we acknowledge that these forms of hate and discrimination are not theoretical; they are real, documented, and deeply harmful. Our challenge as a university is to navigate the space between protecting expression and ensuring a safe environment:

• The Legal Limit: Free expression is not a license for unlawful harassment, threats, or the promotion of hatred as defined by Canadian law. Expression that crosses these lines is not protected.
• The Academic Response: We believe that the most effective way to dismantle prejudice and other harmful ideologies is through education, rigorous research, and the "more speech" approach. We do not hide from these issues; we confront them through critical inquiry as we base our research and teaching on an honest search for knowledge.
• The Community Response: While the university is required to permit speech we find offensive, members of the campus community are not required to be silent about it. We encourage our community to use their own voices to speak out against prejudice and to stand in solidarity with those who are targeted. Our "expectation of care" means that when speech causes pain, we redouble our efforts to support the well-being of our members.

 

I’m concerned about a statement/post/article by a member of the MRU community, or I believe a campus event is beyond the realm of free expression. What can I do?

Here is how to navigate these concerns:

• Evaluate the content: Our policy protects the right to express unpopular or even offensive opinions. However, it does not protect speech that constitutes a genuine threat, unlawful harassment, or a violation of MRU’s Human Rights Policy.
• For informal resolution: If you feel safe doing so, we encourage direct dialogue. Often, a conversation can clarify intent and reduce tension.
• Where to go:
  • Students: If you believe a student’s behaviour violates the Code of Student Community Standards, you can contact the Office of Student Community Standards.
  • Employees: If you believe an employee’s conduct violates MRU’s Workplace Violence and Harassment Prevention Policy, you can submit a complaint to the Associate Vice-President, HR, at avp@mtroyal.ca.
  • Employees/Students: If you are unsure of where to go, and would like a confidential place to discuss your options, you can contact the Office of Safe Disclosure.
  • Protected Disclosure (Whistleblower): Employees who identify potential fraud or wrongdoing (fraud and wrongdoing are defined in the policy) are encouraged to make a protected disclosure, which can be made confidentially or anonymously as outlined in our Protected Disclosure (Whistleblower) Policy. Disclosures can be made through the third-party hotline reporting service called ConfidenceLine.

 

What if I believe a campus event, event materials or speaker is "beyond the realm" of free expression?

The threshold for restricting speech is very high, as mandated by our Expression and Free Speech Policy and Canadian law.

• When an event is protected: Even if an event features views that are controversial, immoral, or widely disliked, the University must allow it to proceed if it does not violate the law or university policy. 
• When an event crosses the line: An event may be restricted if it involves:
  • Illegal speech: Such as incitement to violence or hate speech as defined by the Criminal Code.
  • Safety & disruption: If the event poses an immediate physical threat to the community or fundamentally obstructs the University’s ability to function (e.g., blocking access to classrooms).
• If you have concerns about an upcoming event, please contact: 
  • Academic Event – Organizer/Dean of the faculty
  • Student Event – Office of Student Community Standards 
  • SAMRU – SAMRU Offices
  • For immediate safety concerns – Security Services

 

I shared my view on a topic, and now people treat me differently.

It is important to recognize that free speech is a two-way street. If you share an unpopular opinion, others are equally free to express their disapproval, or to choose not to engage with you socially.

• The Reality: No one is professionally or socially obligated to be "nice" or to agree with you. Coldness or heated disagreement is often the price of entry into a robust debate.
• The Line: If the treatment shifts from "not being nice" to behaviour prohibited under MRU policy (e.g., harassment), it can be addressed accordingly.
• If the social environment becomes so tense that it interferes with your ability to learn or work, you may wish to seek support from:
  • Students 
  • Employees

 

As a student, can I express my views in my academic work at MRU?

Free expression for students is included in Mount Royal University's Expression and Free Speech Policy. Accordingly, you are free to communicate your opinions, ideas, and beliefs without censorship or institutional sanction. During classroom discussions, your professors are responsible for managing the course and classroom interactions. Similarly, professors grade your work and evaluate learning outcomes, which may or may not align with your opinions, ideas and beliefs. The first step to address any concern is to speak with your professor. MRU has more formal ways to address how your assignments are graded as well as your final grade. For more information, please see this link.

 

What about the right to protest?

MRU explicitly recognizes your right to engage in peaceful protests, even if the goal is to oppose or critique the speech of others. However, this is balanced with some practical limitations:

• The university can legally regulate the time, place and manner of a protest to ensure it doesn't disrupt the "ordinary activities of the institution."
  • Academic Priority: Teaching and research are the university's primary missions. Protests that disrupt classes, exams, or labs (e.g., using megaphones near classrooms during instruction hours) are likely to be moved or shut down.
  • Safe Environment: Protests must not involve threats, harassment, or discrimination. While offensive speech is protected, speech that crosses into hate speech (as defined by the Criminal Code of Canada) is strictly prohibited.
    • You must not impede the normal flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic. You cannot block entrances or exits (ingress/egress) to any university buildings.
• While spontaneous gatherings happen, the university has a formal Temporary Use of University Space Policy that applies to protests:
  • Planned Events: If you are organizing a formal demonstration, you are technically required to book the space through Event and Theatre Services.
  • Impromptu Protests: The university reserves the right to stop any impromptu event that has not been approved if it violates university policy or interferes with normal operations.
  • Public Space Equality: If you book a public space for a protest, the policy notes that the space remains open to others who may wish to assemble to support or oppose your point of view.
• Security Services: All campus demonstrations are monitored to ensure the safety of the MRU community. They work with community partners and, if necessary, the Calgary Police Service.