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Cochise College clarifies free speech on college

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Cochise College is clarifying its position on free speech following a recent Herald/Review Media article with the headline, "Protester told to leave Cochise College raises free speech questions." The headline is misleading, and the full article is behind a paywall, preventing readers from accessing the complete context.
 
The college's response to an incident on September 30 at the Downtown Center was guided by safety protocols. As a student was walking to class, an individual exercising his right to free speech approached the student. The student reported feeling uncomfortable and notified security. A security officer then approached the individual and redirected him to return to the designated free speech location where the individual had been earlier. When the individual refused, law enforcement was contacted to assist. College administrators later reached out to the individual to provide information on how free expression can occur at the college.
 
Cochise College respects the right of all members of the community to express their ideas freely and to demonstrate their concerns in an orderly manner. The college protects the rights of the campus community to assemble peacefully on its premises and protects the exercise of these rights from disruption or interference. Cochise College has adopted administrative policies 1002 Campus Demonstrations and 1021 Public Access and Expression on College Property to provide guidance on normal college practices related to free expression activities and encourages the college community to review these policies to ensure these rights.
 
Any public area may be used for public expression consistent with Administrative Policy 1021, including on a spontaneous basis, provided that space has not already been reserved in advance. Reservations may be made in advance but are not required. The college has designated locations for public expression. It is not the intent of the location designation to restrict spontaneous public expression, but to ensure ordinary college functions are not disrupted and to protect the safety and security of the college community and college property.
 
Cochise College policies can be found online at https://cochise.policystat.com/ and questions regarding policies can be directed to Dr. Wendy Davis, Executive Vice President for Administration at vpadmin@cochise.edu.

Credits

  • Writer

    Cochise College News

  • DATE

    October 09, 2025


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