JHU SGAThe 114th Session
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JHU SGA Freedom of Expression Directive (Resolution)

Bill / Other · 114th session · dated September 22, 2026 · updated September 21, 2026

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Senate of the Student Government Association of The Johns Hopkins University

{ S. Resolution. S-B.114.09.22.26-2 }

A Resolution Expressing the SGA’s Full-bodied Commitment to Free Expression

JHU SGA Freedom Of Expression Directive

Introduced by: Vice President of the Senate and Chair of Internal Affairs Shreemann Patel Sponsored by: President of the Senate Jazzlyn Fernandez and Disability Caucus Senator and Chair of Civic Engagement Jackson Morris Presented for consideration by the SGA this 22nd day of September in the year 2026

SECTION 1. TITLE. This Resolution may be referred to as the “JHU SGA Freedom of Expression Directive”

SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS.

  1. SGA — The term “SGA” shall refer to the Student Government Association of The Johns Hopkins University.
  2. GBM — The term “GBM” shall refer to SGA’s General Body Meetings.
  3. JHU, Hopkins, University - The terms “JHU,” “Hopkins,” and “University” shall refer to the Johns Hopkins University.
  4. The Johns Hopkins News-Letter (N-L) — An independent, student newspaper at Johns Hopkins University.
  5. Advisor — Any University-appointed staff member serving in an advisory role to the SGA.
  6. LEED — Leadership Engagement and Experiential Development, an office housed under JHU Student Affairs.
  7. SGA member — Any elected or duly appointed individual serving in the SGA.
  8. Expression Principles — the University’s stated commitments to free expression, open inquiry, and student autonomy as outlined by the “Free Expression at JHU” Initiative, found at https://expression.jhu.edu/
  9. Forms of Expression — Communicative activity including but not limited to: speech, interviews, posters, flyers, social media posts, opinion pieces, articles, emails, newsletters, public commentary, and participation in student journalism (e.g., The News-Letter).

SECTION 3. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

  1. FINDINGS
    1. Article I Section 4 of SGA’s Constitution affirms all Homewood undergraduate students “... have a right to free speech in all matters relating to the SGA. The spirit of this sentiment shall be extended to all student activities on the Homewood campus.”
    2. In 2015, the JHU Board of Trustees ratified a declaration of Hopkins’ commitment to academic freedom, titled “Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom.” The statement includes the following passages:
      1. “Academic freedom protects the right to speak and create, to question and dissent, to participate in debate on and off campus, and to invite others to do the same, all without fear of restraint or penalty. It is designed to afford members of the community the broadest possible scope for unencumbered expression, investigation, analysis, and discourse.”
      2. “... academic freedom necessarily permits the expression of views that even the vast majority of the community may find misguided, ignorant, or offensive. The appropriate response to such statements in an academic setting is not to censor or punish, but to challenge, criticize, and persuade.”
      3. “The torch of free inquiry is a critical part of our heritage and our mission.” [Bolding added for emphasis]
    3. The “Free Expression at JHU” Initiative affirms that students have the right to express opinions freely, engage in open inquiry, and participate in public discourse without prior restraint.
    4. SGA members frequently engage in public communication as part of their roles, including through student media, social platforms, and campus forums.
    5. At the 9/1 GBM, an advisor’s statement implied that pre‑approval by LEED and the SGA Executive Branch was required for SGA members to write in the News-Letter. This statement created confusion and contradicted JHU’s expression principles.
    6. At the 9/15 GBM, the Director of LEED, who serves as SGA’s primary advisor, clarified that SGA members do not require approval to make statements and that SGA should determine its own policies.
    7. The News-Letter requested a written directive to prevent future miscommunication and affirm SGA members’ autonomy.
    8. SGA lacks a formal, general policy affirming members’ rights to free expression across all forms of expression.
    9. Vice Provost for Student Affairs, Rachelle Hernandez, and Interim Vice Provost for Institutional Equity, Linda Boyd, co-authored a JH Broadcast on 9/10 with the subject line “Free expression policies, guidelines, and resources.” The message affirmed the centrality of free expression to the Johns Hopkins experience. The text of this message is recorded for posterity in Section 4 of this resolution.
  2. PURPOSES
    1. Establish a clear, comprehensive policy affirming SGA members’ rights to free expression across all forms of expression.
    2. Clarify that SGA members do not require approval, consultation, or review before engaging in any form of public communication.
    3. Encourage constructive disagreement, transparency, and active participation in campus dialogue.
    4. Prevent future misunderstandings between SGA, advisors, university officials, and student media.
    5. Align SGA practices and messaging with JHU’s institutional commitments to free expression.

SECTION 4. JH BROADCAST (SEPTEMBER 10th, 2026)

Dear Students, We are excited to welcome you back and look forward to a wonderful year of connection, learning, and growth together. As you know, free expression is a foundational value of our university and central to the Johns Hopkins experience. It supports our shared missions of discovery, research, and service, and makes open inquiry, thoughtful dialogue, rigorous debate, and the exchange of ideas possible across our community. Creating an environment where ideas and different viewpoints can be shared—in classrooms, across campuses, and during peaceful demonstrations—while recognizing that free expression carries responsibilities is a duty we all share. We expect our community members to respect the rights of others to speak and not to silence, disrupt, or interfere with the expression of others. We also expect our community members to uphold a safe and respectful environment free from harassment, discrimination, intimidation, and threats. Our policies and guidelines further make clear that conduct that disrupts university operations or creates safety concerns is not acceptable. Our goal is to cultivate a community where ideas are explored, questions are asked, and different perspectives and viewpoints are shared. We encourage you to review the Free Expression at JHU website, where you can find the university’s free expression policies, guidelines, and resources in one place, along with a link to the Free Expression Student Reference Guide, which provides quick information about university policies and guidelines in support of free expression. These resources are intended to support our community in giving voice to the full breadth of backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives that are valued and represented across JHU. Johns Hopkins is an extraordinary community, and our commitment to one another helps create an environment where active discussion and debate can thrive, where perspectives are heard and valued, and where members of our community remain open to the views of others—even when those views are uncomfortable, provocative, or unfamiliar. We are glad to have you as part of this community, and we appreciate your role in helping foster a university environment where free expression and learning can thrive. We look forward to a wonderful year ahead. Sincerely, Rachelle Hernandez Vice Provost for Student Affairs Linda Boyd Interim Vice Provost, Office of Institutional Equity

SECTION 5. RESOLUTION The Student Government Association resolves that:

  1. SGA Members retain full autonomy to engage in any form of expression, including speech, posters, social media, interviews, articles, newsletters, and participation in student journalism, without prior approval from advisors, executive officers, or university officials.
  2. SGA members are encouraged to express their perspectives openly, including agreement, disagreement, critique, or commentary on SGA actions, campus issues, or personal viewpoints.
  3. SGA members may, at only their own discretion, seek optional feedback or factual clarification from the Executive Board, the President of the Senate or Vice President of the Senate, Committee Chairs, Advisors, or other Senators. This consultation is not required and shall not be interpreted as a pre-clearance process.
  4. No advisor, officer, or university representative may impose mandatory review, approval, or consultation requirements on SGA member’s communication in any medium. Any violations shall be reported immediately to the President of the Senate, Student Body President, SGA Advisor, Vice Provost of Student Affairs, or higher authority as necessary.
  5. SGA affirms that individual members, including the President, President of the Senate, Executive Board officers, committee chairs, and other SGA members, speak solely in their personal capacity unless they clearly indicate that they are representing an official position of the Student Government Association. Official positions of the SGA are expressed exclusively through resolutions duly passed by the Senate or statements formally authorized by the Senate.
  6. SGA affirms that constructive disagreement, open dialogue, and participation in public discourse strengthens shared governance and campus civic life.
  7. This directive shall serve as the official clarification requested by the News-Letter and shall also apply broadly to all forms of expression by SGA members.
  8. The SGA will vigorously contest any attempt to interfere with the legally protected free expression of Homewood undergraduate students.

SECTION 6. ACTION ITEMS.

  1. To be done by Student Body President Jason Yu before Thursday, October 8th: Deliver the finalized directive in the form of this resolution to the News-Letter and confirm receipt.

The Bill is hereby ADOPTED/LOST by a vote of X to X with X abstentions.

Upon passage, we have hereunto set our hands and caused the seal of the Senate to be affixed to this bill indicating the Senate’s assent and thus officially declaring the opinion of the sga.

Signatures of Enactment: __________________________________ Jason Yu Student Body President of the Johns Hopkins SGA

__________________________________ Sumire Sumi Student Body Vice President of the Johns Hopkins SGA

__________________________________ Jazzlyn Fernandez President of the Senate of the Johns Hopkins SGA

__________________________________ Honora Muratori Student Body Secretary of the Johns Hopkins SGA

__________________________________ Amy Xu Student Body Treasurer of the Johns Hopkins SGA

__________________________________ Grace Guan Student Body Chair of Programming for the Johns Hopkins SGA

Signatures of Ceremony:

__________________________________ Shreemann Patel Class of 2029 Senator, Vice President of the Senate, and Chair of Internal Affairs

__________________________________ Jackson Morris Disability Caucus Senator and Chair of Civic Engagement

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