All campuses now offer Free Speech Zones

According to Austin Community College's 09-10 Student Handbook, "Students at the college have the rights accorded by the U.S. Constitution to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, petition, and association. These rights carry with them the responsibility to accord the same rights to others in the college community and not to interfere with or disrupt the educational process."

In an effort to prevent the disruption of the educational process, ACC campuses have instated Free Speech Zones where students can exercise their right to free speech on each campus. According to Becky Cole, Environmental Health Safety and Insurance Executive Director, Most of these zones are set in a centralized location so they won't be secluded from the rest of the campus, but are also located in an area that is not close enough to a building to not disrupt a nearby classroom or interrupt the free flow of traffic on a nearby sidewalk or building entrance.

Students wanting to exercise their free speech in these zones must fill out an ACC Facilities Use Request form. This form, which can be found on the Student Life website (austincc.edu/SL), is intended to prevent scheduling conflicts or disruptions among campus based on time, manner or location.