Universities play a vital role in helping society to advance. That role is rooted in academic freedom and responsibility. The freedoms to speak or express yourself and to examine, question, teach and learn are central to our purpose.
The University of Waterloo’s mission – enshrined in the University of Waterloo Act – is to advance learning and knowledge through teaching, research, and scholarship, nationally and internationally, in an environment of free expression and inquiry.
The University of Waterloo is a signatory to the Magna Charta Universitatum which upholds four fundamental principles: moral and intellectual independence of teaching and research; the inseparable nature of teaching and research; freedom in research and teaching; and the affirmation of the vital need for different cultures to know and influence each other in the constant pursuit of universal knowledge.
Like all universities in the 21st Century, we find ourselves at a point where global turmoil is compounded by advances in communication technology, meaning people can speak and express themselves at speeds, distances and scopes that would have been unimaginable to the founders of this institution.
Join an open focus group session
We invite members of the University community to provide their perspectives on freedom of expression and the principles that are foundational to the exercise of that freedom by attending one of the upcoming open focus groups, either in-person or online.
These sessions are open to faculty, staff and students.
March 13
March 14
March 18
March 21
The Task Force wants to hear from you!
Learn more about free expression at UWaterloo
Contact information
If you have feedback about this site, or free expression at the University of Waterloo you may submit general inquiries regarding free expression using this anonymous form. If you require a response, please include your name and email address in your note.