Suffolk University says it is committed to the safety and security of its students, faculty and community, according to Greg Gatlin, the Vice President of Communications for the university.
After the assisination of Charlie Kirk at the Utah Valley University, Suffolk will not be changing its security policies but instead highlights the policies already in place.
“Suffolk University is committed to free and open inquiry in all matters and extends to the University community the broadest possible latitude to speak, write, listen, challenge, and learn,” said Gatlin in an email to The Journal.
The Freedom of Expression policy at the university allows for the office of student affairs, the provost, the emergency manager and Suffolk University Police Department to assess the security needs of each event on a case by case basis.
Gatlin said that with events in which it is determined that additional steps should be taken in order to maintain the safety and security of the community, there could be additional SUPD presence, limited attendance policies to include only Suffolk University community members and RSVP requirements.
In the past, Suffolk has hosted an array of political figures of different backgrounds to speak at and participate in events affiliated with the university.
“Safety and security considerations for every speaker at Suffolk University are carefully evaluated by Student Affairs, the Provost, the Emergency Manager, and SUPD,” said Gatlin.
Turning Point USA hosted the executive director of Speech First, Cherise Trump, in 2024. The Suffolk University Democrats hosted Former U.S. Representative Annie Kuster last semester as a part of Congress on Campus.
In April of last year, Suffolk did a screening of the documentary “There is Another Way” which discussed the stories of members of Combatants for Peace during the Oct. 7 attacks and the war in Gaza and West Bank that followed. During this screening, there were additional SUPD officers stationed outside of the room.
“Our Freedom of Expression/Use of Campus Space and Platforms policy already provides the University with the discretion, on a case by case basis, to restrict the use of campus space for safety reasons,” said Gatlin.
