Task Force on Expression, Community, and Policy

Charge (Spring 2024) 

At the direction of President Howse and Provost Carland, the Task Force on Expression, Community & Policy will convene weekly, beginning in February 2024, with the following charge:

  • Review CCA’s policies, statements, values, and resources that govern responsible expression and conduct expectations for students, faculty, and staff within core educational activities (i.e. courses, studio, projects, and exhibitions) and those activities that most support the CCA experience.
  • Consult relevant scholarship, case studies, contemporary sources, and policy statements on these and related issues.
  • Review examples of “time, place, and manner” policies to determine how CCA considers context within free expression.
  • Gather and reflect on the input from faculty, staff, students, and trustee members through consultation with constituents--such as pulse surveys/organized forums.
  • Coordinate and align the Task Force's review with any corresponding committee or policy stewardship work to determine where faculty, staff, and student distinctions exist.
  • Address the following questions in our recommendations:
    1. How does CCA create or update its statements regarding academic freedom, freedom of expression, and/or college communication guidelines–such as social media, email lists, Zoom protocol, postings on campus, etc.? Where is there the greatest need for clarity?
    2. What policy and guidance language are we adopting regarding these and other associated concepts as a community? What alternatives to policy are needed in the CCA community?
    3. What are the designated processes (and who is responsible) for negotiating disagreements and restoring dialogue when creative, educational, or social harms have been expressed?
  • Based on the collective consultation, provide recommendations for changes or additions to existing CCA statements or guidance.
  • Recommend key principles, processes, and tools for ensuring creative inquiry and expression can flourish in the spirit of mutual respect. Articulate how these approaches and tools might provide practical guidance for a range of possible scenarios.
  • Assist in shaping the communication and education to CCA faculty, students, and staff related to the Task Force efforts