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Public Statements Policy

Purpose: This policy outlines guidelines for issuing public statements, or official communications released by the institution, on behalf of Paris College of Art. This policy aims to ensure that these statements align with the College’s mission and values while addressing relevant external events, activities, or issues (e.g., changes in legislation that may affect higher education, a war, a terrorist attack, a government election, etc.). This policy is not intended to be used for activities or events that are degree-specific (e.g., how students can participate in Paris fashion week, advertising a residency program or internship opportunity, etc.).

Our Mission: Paris College of Art’s mission is to prepare the next generation of creative professionals to be globally aware, engaged and open-minded citizens with the critical thinking and creative skills required to tackle complex problems. In an evolving world, we fulfill this mission by:

  • Providing the highest international standard of art and design education taught within an American higher education paradigm, that emphasizes the need to think critically about the present, and design the future through open and honest debate that considers contradictory viewpoints;
  • Bridging cultures, being informed and drawing from our European environment to opening up educational opportunities to students from around the world;
  • Facilitating mentorship and opportunities for students’ creative growth in their chosen field, while promoting an awareness of global issues.

Scope: This policy applies to all members of PCA’s communities, including faculty, staff, students, and affiliates. It covers statements made on behalf of the College or their respective units.

Public Statements: Public statements are official messages issued by PCA or its units. They must be aligned with the College’s missions and values, and they must not defame individuals, violate privacy laws, or promote political campaigns.

College Statements:

  • Issuing Authority: Only the PCA president or their designee may issue an official Public Statement on behalf of the College.
  • Considerations for Issuing Statements: The PCA President may choose to issue statements on social, political, economic, policy issues, or current events when the issue:
  • Directly affects the College’s ability to fulfill its mission;
  • Directly affects members of the College communities;
  • Directly relates to the College’s mission, visions, or core values.
  • Alternative Actions: While global and local events can be very significant, the president will only issue a public statement when issues directly impact the College or its communities. Alternatively, the president may take personalized approaches by issuing communications and resources directly to affected individuals.
  • Restrictions: The president should not issue statements that conflict with the College’s missions, visions, values, or institutional neutrality with respect to partisan issues.

Statements on Behalf of Divisions, Departments, and Other Units:

  • General Rule: Individual units, including academic departments and student service divisions, should only share the College’s official Public Statement.
  • Exceptions: Leaders of individual units (e.g., chairs, division vice presidents) must seek permission from the president’s office before developing a statement on behalf of their unit/division if there is no official College statement. All such statements must be reviewed and approved by the president’s office.

Speaking on Behalf of the College:

  • Authority: Authority to speak on behalf of the College is granted exclusively to the president by the Board of Trustees bylaws. The president may delegate that authority.
  • Restrictions: No other administrator, faculty, or staff member is authorized to issue public statements or speak on behalf of the College without the president’s permission. Those with permission must collaborate with PCA Communications to develop official statements.
  • Media Coordination: PCA Communications will coordinate interviews with media and other stakeholders when the president or designee speaks on behalf of the College.

Academic Freedom: Faculty members retain their right to issue statements as individuals using their own communication channels. These statements must be clearly presented as personal opinions and not associated with the College or their unit.

Personal Speech and Free Speech:

  • As an institution of higher learning, PCA encourages the robust and free exchange of ideas through classroom discussions, forums, guest speakers, etc.
  • Any member of the College community may express personal views publicly. When doing so, they must not use College affiliation, logos, or communication channels to represent their statements as official College positions.

Consequences: Failure to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action.