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UMaine System Board adopts revised Free Speech, Academic Freedom and Civility policy (Board Policy 2.12)
Summary
The University of Maine System Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt an edited version of Board Policy 2.12 on free speech, academic freedom and civility after a multi-meeting process that included presidents, faculty representatives, students and prior public discussion.
The University of Maine System Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt an edited version of Board Policy 2.12, "Free Speech, Academic Freedom and Civility," completing a multi-meeting revision process that the board said incorporated feedback from presidents, faculty, and students.
Trustee Virginia Alexander presented the final adoption and quoted the policy's affirmation of free speech and academic freedom as "interrelated and interdependent rights and values that will be protected at the University of Maine System institutions." She said the revision had been discussed in public board meetings (including November 2024 and January 2025) and had incorporated campus and faculty input.
Trustee Alexander moved to approve the final edited policy; Trustee Kane seconded. The board called the question and the policy passed without recorded opposition. Chair Trish Riley thanked the working group and the broader set of contributors and directed staff to publish the finalized language as provided in the March 2025 meeting materials.
Ending: The board's formal adoption of the revised policy replaces the red-line drafts previously circulated and completes the final-governance step the board had scheduled for this meeting. Staff said the policy will be posted in final form with the meeting materials.
