Speaker's Policy


The college supports that an essential part of the education of each student is the presentation of diverse viewpoints expressed by speakers engaged by student organizations or groups. It recognizes that a necessary complement to the classroom is the opportunity to review and discuss opinions of speakers representing varying attitudes concerning human affairs. The nature of an invited speaker's presentation should be of information and/or educational value. If a speaker's presentation is promotional in nature, the topic being promoted must not be contrary to the stated goals and policies of Concordia College. The sponsoring organization is to adhere to existing policies and procedures in the planning and performance of the event.

  • Student organizations or groups must consult with their adviser and the Office of Student Leadership and Service in planning an event which involves any invited speaker. This consultation must occur prior to any commitment on the part of either the sponsoring group or the proposed speaker. If the group's adviser or the Office of Student Leadership and Service has a question about the suitability of the proposed speaker, the Student Affairs Committee must be consulted.
  • A request for the facilities needed, using the Event Reservation Form, should be made as far in advance as possible to prevent program scheduling conflicts. The speaker's name normally must be registered through the Event Reservation Form no later than two weeks prior to the speaker's appearance. Refusal of campus facilities shall not be used as a device of censorship. In accordance with other campus policies, the event may be required to have security personnel on duty during the event. If security personnel are required, the sponsoring organization and the security staff have a joint responsibility for people management at the event.
  • Any complaint regarding a proposed speaker or any question on interpretation of this policy shall be directed to the Student Affairs Committee. It is the responsibility of this Committee to act on any complaint and the Committee's decision is final.
  • The Student Affairs Committee reserves the right to have the sponsoring group make public to the community the fact that the views expressed by the speaker are not necessarily those approved or endorsed by the sponsoring group/Concordia College. During the speech or presentation, the speaker shall be granted the right to an uninterrupted presentation and any persons creating a disturbance, either verbal or visual, may be asked to leave.
  • Action by individuals or groups to prevent speakers invited to the campus from speaking, to disrupt the operations of the institution in the course of demonstrations, or to obstruct and restrain other members of the academic community and campus visitors by physical force is destructive of the pursuit of learning and of a free society. All components of the academic community are under a strong obligation to protect its processes from these tactics.
  • The speaker must be accorded the courtesy of an uninterrupted presentation. Except for ceremonial occasions, speakers must accept as a condition of their appearance the right of their audience to questions or challenge statements made in the address. Questions must be permitted from the floor unless prevented by the physical limitations or the size of the audience.
  • The invitation or the scheduling of such a program must represent the desire of the college sponsor and not the will of external individuals or organizations.

Information For:

current students
faculty and staff		 parents
alumni		 high school students
admitted students