The following guest column by University of 麻豆传媒 President Wendy Hensel was published in the .
A recent June 21 Honolulu Star-Advertiser article about the University of 麻豆传媒’s proposed updates to its Free Expression policy raised important questions—questions I welcome. As a former law professor who taught aspects of First Amendment law, I believe deeply that free speech and open intellectual debate are essential to our mission across all ten UH campuses. Protecting these freedoms is one of my most important responsibilities as president.
At the same time, applying First Amendment principles in a real campus environment is complex and highly charged. Like all public universities, UH must safeguard individuals’ constitutional rights while also ensuring that our campuses remain places where teaching, learning, and research can occur without disruption.
Time, Place, and Manner (TPM) policies are the standard way universities strike this balance. These policies are—and must be—strictly viewpoint-neutral. They do not regulate what people say. Instead, they set reasonable expectations for how, when, and where expression can occur so that campuses remain safe, accessible, and functional for everyone.
UH has had a TPM policy for decades, but the current version—last substantially updated more than ten years ago—contains ambiguities that have sometimes led to inconsistent interpretation and enforcement. Ambiguity is one of the greatest threats to free speech because it can allow decisions to be influenced, or appear to be influenced, by viewpoint. Our proposed revisions aim to eliminate that risk by clarifying rights and responsibilities for all members of our community.
These updates were not drafted in isolation. Over the past eight months, subject-matter experts have worked closely with faculty senates across all ten campuses, law school scholars, student leaders, employee unions, legal counsel, campus administrators, safety personnel, and civil liberties advocates. Their feedback has strengthened the policy, making it more precise, transparent, and workable. We plan to implement the revised policy in July as an interim measure, allowing for additional discussion and educational sessions in the fall.
The proposed policy reaffirms UH’s longstanding commitment to free expression, academic freedom, and the open exchange of ideas. Peaceful protests, demonstrations, rallies, speeches, petitions, and other forms of constitutionally protected expression remain fully protected. The policy also explicitly preserves the right of students, faculty, and staff to spontaneously assemble and engage in expressive activity in generally accessible outdoor areas without prior approval.
What the policy does require is that all activities follow reasonable, viewpoint-neutral TPM standards—such as managing noise levels near classrooms and offices, designating appropriate posting areas, and ensuring that building access remains unobstructed. These are common expectations at universities nationwide. They are designed not to restrict speech, but to ensure that free expression and the core functions of the university can coexist.
I encourage Star-Advertiser readers to visit the university’s resource webpage, where they can review the interim policy, a side-by-side comparison of the proposed changes, a consultation timeline and frequently asked questions.
We welcome continued debate, scrutiny, and engagement. These conversations embody the very academic freedom we are committed to protecting. By working together to establish clear, fair, and consistently applied standards, we can ensure that the University of 麻豆传媒 remains a place where robust debate, free inquiry, and transformative learning thrive for generations to come.
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