Welcome to Free Speech Training
Oklahoma Free Speech Committee
“Commitment to the principle of freedom of expression lies at the very core of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education.” That is the unanimous finding of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. Expressive freedom is so central to what colleges and universities do that the State Regents have stated that “[w]ithout a vibrant commitment to free and open inquiry, an institution of higher education ceases to fulfill its mission.”
As chair of the Oklahoma Free Speech Committee, I welcome you to our training program on freedom of expression. The individuals who serve on the committee have deep professional connections to higher education in Oklahoma, are truly bipartisan, and are committed to the principle that debate “may not be suppressed because the ideas put forth are thought by some or even most members of a college or university community to be offensive, unwise, immoral, or wrong-headed.”
State law mandates First Amendment training “for all college deans, heads of departments, and individuals responsible for establishing university free speech policies or handling free speech complaints.” Of course, no one wants to undergo mandatory training or a mandatory review. But the Oklahoma Free Speech Committee views its job as working with our institutions to promote and protect expressive freedom on our college and university campuses.
Freedom of expression can be hard to do, especially as to views that are unpopular. But expressive freedom is the right thing to do, and it has made American higher education the best in the world. We do not indoctrinate. We do not merely pass on knowledge or simply certify. Instead, we foster critical thinking and thereby pass on the key to lifelong learning and a better, more civil society.
Thank you for all you do to support higher education in Oklahoma.
Andy Lester, Chair
Oklahoma Free Speech Committee
Employee Free Speech Training for 2026 and 2027
Oklahoma Free Speech Committee Training Keynote Address
Presented by Professor Joseph Thai (formerly University of Oklahoma College of Law)
This presentation covers the basics of free speech, special contexts, forum doctrine, employee speech, social media and private universities. This presentation was originally recorded in 2024 while Dr. Thai worked for the University of Oklahoma.
Professor Thai’s Keynote Address Slide Deck (PDF, 16m)
2026 Oklahoma Free Speech Committee Training Panel: Part 1
Presented by Chair Andy Lester (State Regent Emeritus and Committee Chair), Chief Legal Officer Brandee Hancock (Board of Regents for the Oklahoma A&M Colleges) and Executive Secretary Mackenzie Wilfong (University of Oklahoma Board of Regents)
Join Oklahoma Free Speech Committee Chairman Andy Lester and guest panelists Mackenzie Wilfong and Brandee Hancock for an informative discussion about protecting and promoting free speech rights across Oklahoma’s college campuses. Together, they explore the committee’s mission to encourage open dialogue and help institutions understand their responsibilities in safeguarding First Amendment rights.
Through a series of real-world scenarios and audience-focused questions, the panelists discuss key topics including campus protests and encampments, the distinction between protected expression and unprotected conduct, employee speech and social media, academic freedom in the classroom, and emerging challenges related to artificial intelligence, including deepfakes and impersonation. This conversation provides valuable guidance for higher education leaders, faculty, staff, and students seeking to navigate complex free speech issues while fostering a respectful campus environment.
2026 Oklahoma Free Speech Committee Training Panel: Part 2
Presented by Chair Andy Lester (State Regent Emeritus and Committee Chair), Chief Legal Officer Brandee Hancock (Board of Regents for the Oklahoma A&M Colleges) and Executive Secretary Mackenzie Wilfong (University of Oklahoma Board of Regents)
In Part 2 of this discussion hosted by Oklahoma Free Speech Committee Chairman Andy Lester and guest panelists Mackenzie Wilfong and Brandee Hancock, panelists continue the conversation to examine complex free speech issues facing colleges and universities. Topics include responses to online campaigns targeting campus community members, student speaker invitations and cancellations, security considerations for controversial events, the distinction between protected speech and harassment, professional standards in academic programs, compelled speech concerns, civic and history programming, and the challenges posed by recording and livestreaming classroom discussions and campus events. Through practical examples and legal analysis, the panel provides valuable insights to help institutions navigate First Amendment obligations while fostering a safe and respectful learning environment.
Additional Employee Free Speech Training (optional)
2024 Oklahoma Free Speech Committee Training Panel
Presented by Chair Andy Lester (State Regent Emeritus and Committee Chair), Deputy General Counsel Brandee Hancock (Board of Regents for the Oklahoma A&M Colleges) and Executive Secretary Mackenzie Wilfong (University of Oklahoma Board of Regents)
This panel covers a variety of questions that impact free expression on college and university campuses such as: time, place, and manner restrictions; academic freedom; free speech zones and Senate Bill 361; the legal history of free speech in Oklahoma; controversial speakers; and offensive, but protected speech.
Other Materials
Overview: Freedom of Expression and Contemporary College Campus Culture (PDF, 204k)