Board of Regents Policies and Procedures

1.6 KCTCS Institutional and viewpoint neutrality policy

1. Purpose

KCTCS is committed to its mission to enhance the quality of life and economic vitality of the Commonwealth. To support this mission, KCTCS seeks to cultivate space for all voices within our communities. This includes supporting an environment that fosters space for learning, growth, and conversations.  The KCTCS Institutional & Viewpoint Neutrality Policy ensures compliance with KRS 164.2896.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all KCTCS Colleges, departments, units, students, employees, and the Kentucky Fire Commission.

3. Policy

1. Institutional Neutrality

1.1 KCTCS will maintain a position of institutional neutrality regarding societal issues and events that do not directly impact or affect the mission or function of the System. On rare occasions, the System may issue a public statement about external or internal issues or events if they directly impact the System or a college’s operations or ability to pursue its mission.

1.2 Only the KCTCS President may issue a statement on behalf of the System and only the Chair of the KCTCS Board of Regents may speak on behalf of the Board. Any statement issued will include the significance of that issue to the KCTCS community.

1.3 This policy does not affect a student’s or employee’s First Amendment rights. Nothing in this policy infringes upon the rights outlined in KCTCS Policy 3.3.15 – Campus Speech Policy.

2. Viewpoint Neutrality

2.1 KCTCS prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual’s political or social viewpoint.

2.2 KCTCS shall not require any individual to endorse or condemn a specific ideology, political viewpoint, or social viewpoint to be eligible for hiring, contract renewal, tenure, promotion, admission, or graduation.

2.3 Any concerns of a violation of this policy shall be reported using the KCTCS online reporting system, EthicsPoint.

4. Review

This policy shall be reviewed by the KCTCS Board of Regents within a two-year period after the date of the adoption of this policy.