Academic freedom is a time-honored tradition and one of our most treasured principles. UC Berkeley is committed to ensuring freedom of expression and dialogue that allows the full spectrum of views held by our community members to be heard. As we embrace these freedoms, it is imperative that we do so within the bounds of University policy, which serves to provide protections for faculty and students alike, as well as in keeping with our desire to build an inclusive learning environment in which everyone enjoys a sense of belonging.
As we begin a new academic year, I kindly ask that you review the campus’s guidance on political advocacy, academic freedom, and the freedom to learn, which can also be found via the academic accommodations web page on the EVCP website. I also kindly ask that you review the guidance on academic accommodations on that web page as well as Regents’ Policy 2301 and Regents’ Policy 4408.
Lastly, although this is not a major election year, I remind you that UC policy prohibits use of university resources, staffing, or funding for campaign activities that might reasonably be viewed as partisan or political in nature. Examples of university resources that should not be used for this purpose include, but are not limited to:
- University email or telephones, including University-issued cell phones
- Letterhead or other university-printed materials
- University-linked social media and/or websites
- University-issued Zoom accounts
- University facilities
University institutes, centers, colleges, schools, and departments cannot sponsor events on behalf of a political campaign, including ballot initiatives (propositions). UC has developed guidelines, along with FAQs, that are intended to assist you in navigating what is and what is not permissible under UC policy.
Regards,
Benjamin E. Hermalin
Executive Vice Chancellor & Provost
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