Northern Arizona University Upholds Free Speech Amid Campus Policy Concerns
At Northern Arizona University (NAU), the principles of free expression are a cornerstone of campus life, ensuring that all members of the community can voice their opinions. The university’s policies are crafted to safeguard individual rights while maintaining a secure and conducive environment for education and scholarship.
Read the NAU’s Freedom of Expression Policy.
Amid recent discussions on social media regarding NAU’s engagement with the local community group SDS Flagstaff, some misinformation has circulated. Here are the verified details.
SDS Flagstaff, although active within the NAU community, is not officially recognized as a student organization by the university. As with any external group, it is welcome on campus but must adhere to the guidelines applicable to community organizations. Despite encouragement from NAU to pursue official student organization status, SDS Flagstaff has not completed the necessary requirements and has opted not to pursue this opportunity at this time. Nevertheless, the invitation to become a registered student organization remains open to them.
Recently, an individual associated with SDS Flagstaff, who is not an NAU student, received a campus trespass notice due to repeated policy violations despite multiple warnings. These infractions were related to the use of amplified sound, a regulation that applies uniformly to all individuals and groups on campus. The individual had been provided with information on obtaining approval for amplified sound during campus events but continued to disregard the guidelines. Issuing a trespass notice is a standard procedure for repeated policy breaches.
In instances where enrolled students violate policies, the issue is addressed through the Student Code of Conduct process. To ensure student privacy, NAU does not disclose outcomes of these processes or comment on specific cases.
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