Cal Poly Mandates Freedom of Expression Training for Students

Training aims to educate students on First Amendment rights and campus policies

Mar. 13, 2026 at 5:40pm

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Cal Poly has assigned all students a mandatory 'Freedom of Expression' training, which must be completed by June 7. The training covers topics like the First Amendment, the university's time, place and manner policy, and how to engage in respectful discourse. The training is required by California law and is not in response to any specific event, according to the university.

Why it matters

The training is intended to ensure students understand their rights to free speech and expression on campus, as well as the policies governing when, where and how that expression can take place. This comes after a recent incident where students disrupted a conservative group's tabling event, highlighting the need for clearer guidelines around free speech activities.

The details

The Freedom of Expression training was assigned to all Cal Poly students via email from the Cal Poly Learning Hub. It covers key topics like the First Amendment, the university's time, place and manner policy, and how to engage in respectful discourse. While normally non-completion of mandatory trainings can lead to registration holds, Cal Poly says there are no plans to do that for this training. The training is required by California law for all CSU campuses.

  • The training was assigned to students on March 13, 2026.
  • The training must be completed by June 7, 2026.

The players

Cal Poly

A public university located in San Luis Obispo, California and part of the California State University system.

Keegan Koberl

A spokesperson for Cal Poly who provided details about the Freedom of Expression training.

Reawaken USA

A conservative group that held an open tabling event on the Cal Poly campus on March 9, 2026.

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What they’re saying

“The training is intended to help students better understand First Amendment rights, learn how to exchange views in an atmosphere of respect and civility and become aware of campus policies and available reporting and support mechanisms.”

— Keegan Koberl, Cal Poly Spokesperson

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This mandatory training highlights Cal Poly's efforts to balance students' free speech rights with the need for orderly and respectful discourse on campus. While the training is required by law, it aims to educate students on their rights and responsibilities when it comes to expressing their views.