Freedom of Speech

Your voice. Your community. Our commitment.

Exeter is a community where every student can speak, question, challenge and belong – and where different experiences, beliefs and perspectives are genuinely respected.

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Freedom of speech is part of belonging. When every student can speak out and question others, it creates an interesting, inspiring and even challenging (in a good way!) community.

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Here, we explain our approach to Freedom of Speech, how we make decisions, how you can use your voice, and what you can expect from us.

Our Approach

What we stand for

Exeter Students’ Guild represents more than 31,000 students – each of you has your own experiences, beliefs and points of view. And we want each and every one of you to feel that you belong here. Our role isn't to tell you what to think, or to take sides on the issues that matter to you. Our role is to make sure every student has the opportunity to speak, to be heard, and to participate fully in university life.

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We don't describe ourselves as neutral. Neutral can sound like we don't care. And we do. We are impartial – we apply the same values consistently and fairly, whoever is asking and whatever the issue. And, most importantly, we are always on the side of the students.

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We work hard to create spaces where open, respectful dialogue is possible. Even when the conversations are difficult. Encountering different, challenging or uncomfortable ideas is all part of being at university – and we believe that every student deserves to feel they belong here, regardless of their background or beliefs.

Our values-driven approach to freedom of speech

Our values shape everything we do, including how we work with you to make sure you can get your voice heard.

Empowering

We give you the opportunities and tools to speak safely and lawfully, as well as debate complex and contentious issues productively.

Collaborative

We work with students, leaders, and groups across our student community to make sure you can all use your voice. We also work closely with the University to promote your right to free expression.

Radical inclusivity

We support you all to use your voice, no matter what your beliefs or views – as long as they’re within the law. We also recognise that this can have a genuine impact on others, and we're here to support them too.

Our guiding principles

We are impartial, not neutral: We are not defined by neutrality, but by our ability to act fairly, transparently, and consistently.
We represent a spectrum, not two sides: We represent a diverse community with a spectrum of different experiences, beliefs, and perspectives.
Belonging matters: We support students to participate, engage, and belong safely within our community.
We empower, not replace: Our role is to enable student voices rather than speaking on behalf of students in all circumstances.
Transparency builds trust: We make sure students understand how decisions are made, our responsibilities and limitations, and the principles underpinning them.
Principles matter: We are clear and confident about our principles – around participation, representation, belonging and student rights – and we apply them consistently.

How decisions are made

Every decision we make about events, speakers, societies and student activity is taken in a way that balances your rights with our responsibilities to the whole community.

The legal framework

Everyone in the UK has the right to freedom of expression – which includes freedom of speech – within the law under the Human Rights Act.

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Universities and their students' unions have specific duties to protect students' freedom of speech, most recently due to the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023.

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Speech is protected unless there is a specific legal reason why it is not – such as incitement to hatred, harassment, or support for a banned organisation. This means that views which are controversial, contested or deeply uncomfortable can still be lawful – and therefore protected. We can’t take away that protection because speech is unpopular or causes offence. We know that can be hard to hear, and we don't say it to dismiss your concerns. We say it because we will always be honest about the parameters we work within.

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Our responsibilities

We are committed to:

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Meeting our legal responsibilities to protect students from harrassment and discrimination
Protecting the safety and wellbeing of all students
Creating a community where every student can participate and belong

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What this looks like in practice

With rights around freedom of speech come responsibilities. In some cases, we put in place measures to make sure free-speech events remain safe and lawful.

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When a decision involves a potentially sensitive event, speaker, or situation, we follow our Freedom of Speech Code of Practice. This code of practice underpins a number of other processes and policies we have which support students' freedom of expression, such as our External Speaker Framework and our Complaints and Disciplinary Procedures.

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This sets out how we assess risk, what conditions we apply, what support we put in place, and how students can raise concerns or make a complaint.

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We don't make these decisions lightly, and we don't make them alone. We work with University partners, seek specialist guidance where needed, and – wherever possible – talk to the student communities most likely to be affected.

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What you can expect from us

Here, we set out what the Guild will and won't do – so you know exactly where you stand.

You can expect us to

Be honest with you, even when the answer is complicated or not welcomed by all
Explain how and why decisions were made
Apply our policies consistently
Take your concerns about safety and wellbeing seriously
Support you to use your voice, organise events, hold protests, invite speakers and campaign for what you believe in
Listen to your opinions and ideas – and let you know you what we've done with what you've told us

What we won't do

Apply different standards or decisions depending on who is asking or what viewpoint they hold

Prevent lawful speech, even when it is controversial or causes offence

If something goes wrong

If you feel your right to speak out has been unfairly limited, or that a Guild decision has caused harm to you or your community, you have the right to raise it. You can contact our Voice Team for advice, make a formal complaint, or speak to your student representative.

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All concerns are taken seriously. We will always tell you how to escalate if you're not satisfied with our response.

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How to use your voice

Your voice matters – and the Guild is here to help you use it. Whether you want to campaign for change, challenge an idea, or make sure students like you are represented, here are a few ideas:

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Host a society event or debate

Invite an external speaker

Start a campaign or petition

Organise a protest

Contact a student representative

Become a student leader

There are so many ways you can get involved.

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It’s not just about individual voices. Societies can – and do – take positions on the issues that matter to their members. That's what societies are for. We support this. Our role is to make sure every group is able to organise themselves around shared beliefs, and that those beliefs can be expressed openly and confidently.

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Remember – when it comes to external speakers, you'll need to submit an External Speaker Risk Assessment. You can do this as early as you like but needs to be at least 15 working days before the event.

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Whatever you want to do, the Guild team can provide the guidance, tools and support to make it happen (as long as it’s within the law).

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Can't see your question answered here?

FAQs

Using your voice, freedom of speech, your right to protest and campaign. It can feel complicated. We’ve put together some of the questions we get asked most – and our honest answers.