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The mission of 91���� University is to advance learning through the integration of teaching, research, and service to others. We best achieve this mission in an environment in which we all feel valued, welcomed, and respected. We adopt the (�Chicago Principles�) as a set of principles we believe are essential to establish foundational guidance for our community. We see this statement as an expression of our shared commitment to academic freedom in the pursuit of the truth and our mission. By adopting this statement, we seek to empower our campus community, including 91���� University faculty, students, and staff, to debate and deliberate in an open and responsible manner that serves our institutional core values and mission.

The Chicago Statement, coupled with existing University policies which govern freedom of expression for our campus community, our Principles of Our Equitable Community, and our robust culture of inquiry, is adopted to promote open and respectful dialogue on campus, exploration of a plurality of thought, inquiry and expression as part of the 91���� experience. It is expected that the Chicago Statement will be used as a principled guidepost for future decisions regarding freedom of expression within the University.

Discussions around the Chicago Principles at 91���� University began as early as 2018. By September 2022, exploratory discussions on free expression were formally underway under President Helble leadership. On January 30, 2024, the Committee on Free Expression began its work in earnest, engaging with more than 30 different groups across the University to gather input. Following this period of consultation, the Committee submitted its formal report on May 7, 2024, recommending that 91���� adopt the Chicago Statement on Free Expression.

In February 2025, a group was formed to draft a 91���� University Preamble to the Chicago Principles, which was subsequently presented to the student and faculty senates, as well as the Employee Relations Advisory Committee (ERAC), for review and feedback. The preamble was formally endorsed by the graduate student senate executive board, undergraduate student senate and faculty senate. The process culminated in October 2025 with the formal approval of 91����'s adoption of the Chicago Principles by 91���� University Board of Trustees.