As staff and faculty actively address hate speech that could potentially arise within the classroom, WSU Vancouver’s Building a Community of Equity Professional Development program or “BaCE” discussed courses of action on how to provide students with a safe space of equitable inclusivity on campus.
Held on March 22, a BaCE presentation entitled “Confronting Free and ‘Hate’ Speech on Campus and in the Classroom,” was given by the vice chancellor for student affairs and enrollment, Domanic Thomas. Adhering to the need for action to address hate speech, Thomas stated efforts can be achieved when listening to others’ inputs, respecting confidentiality and educating the campus community.
“Words have impact. There is no doubt the historically negative impact of this topic has significantly impacted underserved and under-empowered communities the most,” Thomas said.
BaCE workshops are designed to promote WSU Vancouver’s values of diversity, equity and inclusion, and provide spaces where staff and faculty can hold open discussions with each other about various topics in relation to the university. According to WSU Vancouver’s website, BaCE workshops are designed with three main objectives in mind. These objectives are “closing the gap” by ensuring equal opportunities for all students, “increased capacity for institutional change” through pushing for equity within the university and “climate,” which builds a welcoming environment for all students and employees.
Regarding free speech, there are many laws and policies set up within WSU Vancouver and institutions across the nation under the Constitution’s First Amendment. According to the Washington State Legislature’s guidelines, “The university believes that freedom of expression is an indispensable quality of university life, and that active participation in political and social expression both enhances the education of the individual and contributes to the betterment of society.”
As a public institution, WSU Vancouver itself is required by law to respect the first amendment rights of students and promote an atmosphere that encourages freedom of expression. In comparison, Thomas explained that engaging in open conversations is the key to recognizing or confronting free and ‘hate’ speech at WSU Vancouver. However, things become challenging when certain cases or situations are evaluated, especially when discussing differences between free and ‘hate’ speech within the campus community.
“I want to draw your attention to the harassment piece and how it’s defined. … Different cases are presented, and to know the certain speech that is not protected has to do with an imminent threat,” Thomas said.
During the workshop, Thomas highlighted key subjects of importance from WSU’s Executive Policy Manual that can classify speech as unlawful, including disparate treatment and impact or direct discriminatory harassment. Disparate treatment is in relation to discriminatory practices that exhibit intentional behaviors toward another person while disparate impacts are often referred to as unintentional forms of discrimination.
As for all discriminatory harassment, Thomas highlighted the “unwelcomed and intentional conduct” interferes with an individual’s participation in WSU’s education, programs, employment and activities which creates an objectively abusive environment.
Although students have many rights afforded to them, the university may also step in and evaluate a situation based on, as Thomas explained, “time, place and manner” in a content-neutral way that is equitably enforced. At WSU, the process to address hate speech in the classroom will often start with an investigation, followed by conversations with those involved, evaluating applicable violations, creating safety measures and further facilitating any legal processes between faculty and students.
In the classroom, instructors are encouraged to have open conversations with students, and know how to respond to speech by providing support to those impacted by hate speech, allowing for a space where students can communicate, be aware of campus policies and use every opportunity to listen to students.
“The short answer is: to address hate speech with more speech. Listen to voices that matter,” Thomas said. “It is so easy to say ‘no,’ or expel as opposed to the hard work, to work with the community and have a greater sense of value for each other. A justice-filled outcome is the goal.”
Olivia is a senior studying English at WSU Vancouver.