Right to Free Expression
Hiram College’s mission includes fostering social responsibility in its students and providing them with tools to face the urgent challenges of the times. Some of the most important tools through which to face challenges are open discussion, debate, and dialogue and the free exchange of ideas on public issues. Thus, the College affirms every student’s right to free expression and will not penalize any students—prospective, current, or former—for engaging in peaceful and respectful expressions of the views they hold.
The Hiram College Office of Admission fully supports the individual right to peacefully protest. Please know that the participation in or the support of a movement such as Black Lives Matter will not negatively impact admission decisions at the College. In fact, we applaud those who are exercising their right to speak in events and activities throughout the country and the world.
The Hiram College mission statement clearly states our commitment to link classroom learning with real life experiences. Indeed, that mission calls us to prepare our students to face the “urgent challenges of the times.” The issues underscored by the Black Lives Matter movement constitute many of the urgent challenges of today. At Hiram, we expect our curricular and co-curricular programs to not only help students “face” these challenges but to be a part of the force that works to remedy them.
