At a Faculty Council meeting on Sept. 17, President Fenves announced that the administration would hold off on enforcing university “policy with respect to exterior windows,” pending the recommendations of a task force that would be created to review UT Austin’s sign policy.
Statements
Comment from University Spokesperson J.B. Bird, Sept. 6, 2018:
“All students, faculty and staff have the right of free speech and expression on the UT Austin campus.
Consistent with U.S Supreme Court rulings, the university has policies that use a content-neutral approach based on “time, place and manner” to regulate speech on campus, including the placement of signs. The University’s rules do not allow signs on windows that face externally to campus.
The proliferation of prohibited signs, including hateful fliers, at UT and on other campuses has demonstrated the need to follow our long-established, content-neutral rules which focus on the time, place and manner of signage.
We have been working closely with deans to request that faculty and staff members remove all signs in outward-facing windows, regardless of the content. We will continue those efforts towards voluntary compliance.”
Related Policies
Note: As of fall 2018, aspects of this policy relating to signs on windows will be under review by a faculty task force: Chapter 13 of our Handbook of Operating Procedures, Subchapter 13–500. Signs, Banners, and A-Frames and Sec. 13–501. General Rule on Signs.
News
U. Texas Requests Removal of ‘Gun Free’ Signs From Profs’ Office Windows – The College Fix – Sept. 9, 2018
Gun Free UT Signs Face Removal After University Enforces Signage Policy – The Daily Texan – Sept. 6, 2018