- Office of the President
- Current Initiatives
- WSCUC Accreditation Reaffirmation
- Financial Sustainability
- 2024-25 Colleges Reorganization
- Leadership Searches
- President's Equity Council
- Other Initiatives
- Faculty and Staff Housing
- Affinity-based Student Success and Resource Centers
- Post-COVID Opportunity Scan
- Partnership for University Latine/x Success & Opportunity (PULSO)
- Review of Low Degree Conferring (LDC) Programs
- Scaling Career Services Task Force
- SWEET
- Working Professional Recruitment and Service Task Force
- Future Directions strategic planning
- Messages from the President
- Update on Leadership Searches
- Announcing Leadership Change
- Findings on 2024 belong@csueastbay Campus Climate Survey
- Join us for Science in the Park October 5
- 91¶ÌÊÓƵ Participates in 2024 Ballot Bowl: Voter Registration for November Elections
- President’s Budget Reduction Update
- Invitation to 91¶ÌÊÓƵ HSI Summit on September 27th
- Joint message from President and Senate Officers regarding College Reorganization Consultation Plan
- The 2024 Fall Convocation recording is now available
- Campus update – MPP position eliminations
- Administrator/Staff Reduction FAQ
- Update on Budget and Deficit Reduction Initiatives
- Announcing Interim Leadership for AY24-25
- Announcing Our New Mascot
- Provost Search Update
- Update: 91¶ÌÊÓƵ Accreditation Reaffirmation Visit Spring 2025
- Ribbon-cutting for the Queer United Student Success Center
- Progress Update: Future Directions SMART Actions
- Announcing launch of Provost search
- Title IX and DHR Update
- Upcoming Communications: Stay Tuned for Important Updates
- Title IX Updates
- 2023 Messages
- Happy Holidays from President Sandeen
- Future Directions SMART Action Update-Year One
- Statement Condemning Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia
- A Message of Gratitude and Reflection
- Update on the Concord Center
- Update on Faculty-Staff Housing Task Force
- Update on Childcare Task Force
- College of Health Decision
- Updates on Leadership Searches
- CSU Directive on Low Degree-Conferring Programs
- I Stand with Immigrants
- Next Steps on the Working Professionals Task Force
- Next Steps on the Scaling Career Services Task Force
- Reminder of Support Resources Available Following Escalation in Middle East
- Welcome/Welcome Back to 91¶ÌÊÓƵ
- State of California Title IX Audit Report
- Cozen O'Connor Assessment Report
- Mildred GarcÃa Appointed 11th CSU Chancellor
- Conclusion of Cozen O’Connor Assessment
- CSU Presidential Review Criteria
- A message from Interim Chancellor - President Sandeen Triennial Review
- Recreation and University Union - Proposed Fee Increases
- 2023 Budget Principles
- Financial Stability Process Memo
- Deep Dive into Future Directions
- CSU Budget Reallocation Update
- Letter to Our Campus Community: The Death of Tyre Nichols
- Announcing new Working Professional Task Force
- Announcing new College of Health Implementation Task Force
- Announcing new Scaling Career Services Task Force
- Support for Lunar New Year Tragedy
- Title IX/DHR Update
- 2022 Messages
- Kathleen Wong(Lau), Ph.D. Named University Diversity Officer
- Reimagining the Concord Campus Update
- Staff Wellness, Enrichment and Engagement Team (SWEET)
- Sharing the Reimagining the Concord Campus Task Force report
- Upcoming Title IX Organizational Assessment visit
- Recent DACA Decision and Our Response
- 91¶ÌÊÓƵ Accreditation Reaffirmation Visit Spring 2025
- Chancellor Koester Message Regarding Title IX Assessment
- With Renewed Commitment to Serve Our Black Community Members
- A Message from Interim Chancellor Jolene Koester
- Staff Salary Equity Study
- Diversity Office Update
- Near-Final Future Directions Draft for Feedback
- Evelyn Buchanan Appointed Vice President for University Advancement
- Applied Sciences Center Receives Full Donor Funding
- Myeshia Armstrong appointed Vice President for Administration & Finance
- Grand Opening of Student Success Centers on Thursday, March 17
- A message from President Sandeen regarding CSU Trustees' acceptance of Chancellor Castro's resignation
- Walt Jacobs, Ph.D., named Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
- Professor Enrique Salmón appointed as 91¶ÌÊÓƵ Inaugural Tribal Liaison
- 91¶ÌÊÓƵ Title IX Responsibilities to Our Community
- 91¶ÌÊÓƵ to return to scheduled course delivery Monday, Jan. 31
- 91¶ÌÊÓƵ named to #CaliforniansForAll College Corps
- Welcome to Spring Semester 2022
- Update on the Beginning of Spring 2022 Semester
- CSU to Require Vaccination Boosters
- 2021 Messages
- With gratitude, from President Sandeen
- Telecommuting program to begin January 2022
- My Story, My Truth Assessment Results
- Launching Our Future Directions Strategic Planning Initiative
- In Support of Our DACA Students
- CSU COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Students, Faculty and Staff
- Updated University Guidance on Face Coverings at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ
- Looking Forward to Seeing Everyone Again
- Looking forward beyond COVID-19
- CSU to require immunization against COVID-19
- If one of us, then all of us: A statement asking for grace, compassion and togetherness
- Housing Task Force Report
- Post-COVID opportunity scan
- COVID-19 One Year Later
- Establishment of Affinity-Based Student Success Centers
- Welcome to Spring 2021 Semester
- Our Role in Preserving Our Democracy
- A Greeting from President Cathy Sandeen
- 2024 Campus Climate Assessment
- My Story My Truth
- Freedom of Speech & Expression
- Title IX/DHR
- Reporting and Options
- Support Services
- Confidentiality
- Title IX Coordinator
- Resources for Students
- Resources for Staff and Faculty
- Resources for Pregnant and Parenting Students
- Help a Friend
- Education & FAQs
- Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation (DHR)
- Policies and Procedures
- Cozen O'Connor Title IX and DHR Assessment
- Student Complaint Form
- NAGPRA & CalNAGPRA
- In the News
- Presidential History
- Downloadable Images
Be Informed
First Amendment & Law
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
California’s Constitution provides that “[e]very person may freely speak, write and publish...sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of this right. A law may not restrain or abridge liberty of speech or press.”
“Neither the Regents of the University of California, the Trustees of the California State University, the governing board of a community college district, nor an administrator of any campus of those institutions, shall make or enforce a rule subjecting a student to disciplinary sanction solely on the basis of conduct that is speech or other communication that, when engaged in outside a campus of those institutions, is protected from governmental restriction by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution or Section 2 of Article I of the California Constitution.” (Title 3, Chapter 5, Rules of Student Conduct)
Time, Place, & Manner
Policy on of Free Expression
Through this policy, the university seeks to foster and sustain a forum for the free, civil and orderly exchange of ideas, values and opinions, recognizing that individuals grow and learn when confronted with differing views, alternative ways of thinking and conflicting values.
The following are prohibited for all University Property, even Public Areas:
- No heckler’s veto.
- No camping.
- No overnight activity or remaining on campus during public "closure" hours.
- No temporary or permanent structures or barricades.
- No unauthorized vehicles.
- No disguises or concealment of identity.
- No firearms or weapons
- No fires or fireworks
- No explosive materials
- No ambushing or lying in wait
- No shooting projectiles
- No chemical sprays or laser pointers
- No human urination or defecation outside restrooms
Other Campus Policies
The university operational posting guidelines inform how the university’s Time, Place, and Manner policy should be used with regard to posting banners, posters, flyers, brochures, external signs, indoor/outdoor digital monitor/sign content, etc., leading to a balance between event, program and activity publicity, and maintaining the appearance and brand identity of the campus environment. These guidelines govern temporary signs and posting for both internal and external campus environments.
Student Leadership and Involvement Center (SLIC)
Student organizations should work with their Student Life Advisor for support for event planning, tabling, and other policies and procedures for recognized student organizations.
Commercial Services approves and issues permits to appropriate vendors that provide the campus with products and services that best fit the campus needs.
Facilities Reservations & Rentals Policy
91¶ÌÊÓƵ rents facilities to various types of organizations such as profit organizations, non-profits organizations, campus affiliates, and use for campus instructional use. The Office of Reservations and Rentals is the primary point of contact for meeting and event planning on the Hayward campus.
Policy on Alcohol and Other Drugs
The 91¶ÌÊÓƵ Policy on Alcohol and Other Drugs serves the entire University community and provides clear, consistent and constructive guidelines for the responsible use of alcohol.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
There are five freedoms in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution: freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and freedom of petition. While most speech is protected, some situations may not be such as speech that promotes and incites violence or harm, threats, libel and slander, obscenity, and harassment.
Generally, yes, as 91¶ÌÊÓƵ is a public institution. That said, the does provide that certain forms of disruption to classwork, substantial disorder, or invasion of the rights of others are not guaranteed under the first amendment. The university can impose reasonable restrictions to preserve the safe and orderly operation of the campus.
Protests and civil disobedience have played an historic role on university campuses, in bringing important and beneficial changes within society, and in the development of our democracy. However, civil disobedience is not protected speech under the Constitution. For example, if protesters occupy a campus building or disrupt classes, they may be subject to the student code of conduct as well as criminal action. It’s important to be aware of the campus policies so that you understand consequences for actions.
As defined by Britannica.com, academic freedom is the “freedom of teachers and students to teach, study, and pursue knowledge and research without unreasonable interference or restriction from law, institutional regulations, or public pressure.” For more information on "academic freedom" see
The term “hate speech” does not have a legal definition in the United States, but it often refers to speech that insults or demeans a person or group of people on the basis of attributes such as race, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability or gender. While 91¶ÌÊÓƵ condemns speech of this kind, there is no “hate speech” exception to the First Amendment; however, “hate crimes” may be regulated by law.
The University defines harassment as “unwelcome conduct, based on the Complainant’s Protected Status, that is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that its effect, whether or not intended, could be considered by a reasonable person in the shoes of the Complainant, and is in fact considered by the Complainant, as limiting their ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities or opportunities offered by the University.” Additional information can be found at the Title IX/DHR page.
If you believe you have experienced a violation of the Campus Regulations, the Office of Student Conduct, Rights & Responsibilities provides advice and guidance to students on answering questions and resolving concerns about their rights, as well as informal and formal grievance procedures.
If you believe you have experienced discrimination and/or harassment you should report this to the Title IX/DHR Office immediately.
Discrimination of an individual or class of individuals as articulated in State of California, federal, and CSU laws, rules, regulations, guidelines, and executive orders is prohibited if based upon:
- Race/Color/Ethnic Identity
- National origin/Ancestry
- Age
- Marital Status
- Gender/Sex (including sexual harassment)
- Gender Identity/Expression
- Sexual Orientation (actual or perceived)
- Genetic Information
- Medical Condition
- Religion
- Military/Veteran Status
- Pregnancy
- Disability
Yes, we encourage expression in protest of other expression. The campus encourages all who engage in protest activity to do so safely. Below are some reminders for how to protest safely:
- Avoid activity that infringes on the rights of others, such as blocking and preventing the movement or access of others.
- Follow the lawful instructions of a police officer or public official, such as staying behind barricades, dispersing from an area declared an unlawful assembly, not resisting arrest. It is against the law to disobey a lawful order by a police officer.
- Leave the area where others are engaging in illegal activities and acts of violence. Your presence may be interpreted as participating in a riot or illegal group action. Staying overnight in a campus building after hours is prohibited.
- Refrain from speech that incites others to commit acts of violence such as pushing, kicking or spitting on others, destruction of property or other unlawful actions.
- Make informed decisions. If you choose to engage in civil disobedience and get arrested, know the potential consequences. See the Office of Student Conduct, Rights & Responsibilities for more information.
At campus events, no. Freedom of speech does not give someone the right to drown out the words and speech of others; freedom of speech would mean little if the audience was able to silence anyone with whom they disagreed. Once a society starts down the path of condoning such de facto censorship, it creates the culture and conditions in which anyone’s rights of speech can be compromised. Counter demonstrations, programs, or engaging in critical dialogue with “more speech” may be additional options to consider.
- Yes! Cal State East Bay supports the notion of a “marketplace of ideas,” in which speech that a person disagrees with should be met with more speech that engages and debates it. The First Amendment and the university are founded on the premise that we are all better off if ideas can be expressed and responded to, rather than be subject to an imposed orthodoxy of belief and punished for deviating from it.
- As a community of educators free speech is important to CSU’s mission of teaching and learning. Many ideas now fundamental to our understanding of the universe and our place in it – such as evolution or climate change – were initially attacked. Freedom of speech is so important to the university that one of the university’s bedrock principles is academic freedom, which protects faculty in their research and teaching, as well as the speech of students.