The citizens of Michigan have, through the constitutional autonomy clause, placed the governing authority of the pubic universities in elected or appointed boards. Within the framework of the law, these boards have in turn shared their power with both faculty and students, but by the same law the boards have the ultimate responsibility for the control and direction of the universities and must therefore retain the ultimate and final authority for control and direction.

Students enrolling in, persons employed by, or people visiting the Michigan Technological University do so voluntarily and in so doing assume an obligation to conduct themselves in a manner compatible with the University's function as an educational institution.

Michigan Technological University stands for freedom of speech, freedom of inquiry, freedom of dissent, and freedom to demonstrate in a peaceful manner. But freedom requires order, and it is not possible to have one without the other. The Board of Control therefore reaffirms the long-time understanding that any effort to impede the holding of classes, the carrying forward of University business, the arrangements for properly organized and scheduled events on the campus, the reasonable movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic, or the discharge of his responsibility by any University officer or employee, constitutes an invasion of the rights of the faculty, students, and the general public, is contrary to the interests of the University, and will not be tolerated.

In any such attempt to interfere with University activity, the leaders and participants are held responsible and are subject to appropriate legal and disciplinary action, including suspension and expulsion from the University, under established procedures.

In this reaffirmation of freedom with order, Michigan Technological University also pledges itself to maintain open channels of communication through which those who have grievances, suggestions, questions, or who are dissatisfied with the status quo may express themselves in a meaningful manner and through which they may bring about orderly change.

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Proposal Adopted by Senate: 14 May 1969
Approved by Board of Control: June 1969