Freedom of Expression Events Postponed, Spirit Rock Offline

UNCW values the opportunity for our campus community to actively engage in freedom of expression activities to encourage dialogue and a robust exchange of ideas. Given the tensions that emerged on campus last week related to the spirit rock located outside of Fisher Student Union, as well as external responses and threats to campus, UNCW will temporarily discontinue use of campus spirit rocks and pause freedom of expression events. Painting on both spirit rocks, located outside the Fisher Student Union and Wagoner Dining Hall, will not be allowed. Any currently scheduled freedom of expression permits issued for University Amphitheater and Wagoner lawn will be rescheduled for later dates. These actions will begin immediately until further notice.  

We are taking this step as part of comprehensive measures to de-escalate concerns about safety that emerged last week. As referenced in communication from Chancellor Volety on Sept. 20, UNCW Police will have increased presence at the main campus entrances and foot patrols, and is expanding its team with additional law enforcement personnel to further strengthen campus coverage and provide enhanced visibility across campus. Campus residence halls are staffed and ready with regular on-call support, security staffing, and increased campus police rounds. Please see the Incident Response FAQs website to learn more about the events of last week and the university’s enhanced safety and security measures. 

Students continue to have a variety of avenues for free expression, including displays under UNCW Policy 02.360 and 02.370 Policy on Demonstrations, spontaneous expressions that do not materially disrupt campus activities and align with time, place and manner considerations and facility use and student organization reservations. If you have questions about these avenues, please contact staff in Campus Life at 910.962.3915 or clreservations@uncw.edu. 

As a community, it is important that we pause and reaffirm our commitment to the Seahawk Respect Compact, which calls for an environment of civility and mutual respect. This temporary pause on spirit rock and scheduled freedom of expression locations will be helpful in this effort. Any actions that violate this pause will be addressed in accordance with the Code of Student Life and campus policies based on facility use, not based on the content of the message or expression itself. 

We are hopeful that this pause will allow us to reflect on how we engage with each other, so that when these forms of freedom of expression activities resume, we can reflect the best of our values as an institution of learning and as Seahawks.