By Mia Gutierrez, November 25, 2025
Cal Poly Pomona Learning sent out a campus-wide email Nov. 5, informing students of mandatory freedom of expression training covering on-campus protest guidelines, free speech and respectful exchange of ideas.
The training is required by the California Senate Bill 1287, which is made to support a safe, and respectful exchange of ideas, according to CPP Learning’s email. It is viewed as a guideline for expressive activities such as protests and interactions on campus.
The California State University Chancellor’s office developed the training, which is due for all students Jan. 30, 2026. Students will be reminded until it is completed, according to Director of the Bronco Leadership Center, Jason Lu.
The training, which has 11 parts and takes about 5 minutes to complete, is based on the Time, Place and Manner policy that reflects the values of encouraging diverse ideas, community engagement on campus and academic freedom while also preserving real government interests such as campus safety, according to the CSU training.
“While campuses have had their own TPM policies, this marks the first time the CSU has implemented a consistent framework across all 23 campuses,” Lu said. “The timing reflects the rollout of that new policy and the need to ensure all students understand their rights and responsibilities under it.”
The policy focuses on the expression of students’ First Amendment rights while on campus. It also includes a list of behaviors that are not allowed, such as camping or overnight loitering, unauthorized vehicles or explosive materials to uphold campus safety and limit university disruption.
“I think the training is interesting due to campus restrictions and how it discusses our First Amendment rights, but I don’t think it should be mandatory because I feel like it speaks for itself and can maybe be learned in class, but I feel like having it be mandatory is a waste of time,” Business student Jasmin Monroy said.
Lu said the policy has existed for years and has been recently delivered to campuses this fall.
Students aren’t alone, faculty is also experiencing this new mandatory training for the first time. Nastaran Simarasl, associate professor of Entrepreneurship and Strategic Management, as well as co-chair of the CPP Heterodox Academy, was not aware of this email or new change.
“Developing their minds should be through a clash of different perspectives and ideas and ways of seeing the world,” Simarasl said. “Why should students obstruct class or class access in the university? I do not support that, but I think the training is good if that’s the school’s point of setting some boundaries.”
Feature image courtesy of Darren Loo
