Guest Speakers & the Speaker Review Process

DePaul encourages its registered student organizations to sponsor guest speakers whose presentation will contribute to the role of the University as a forum for intellectual discussion, debate, investigation and/or artistic expression. Speakers provide an opportunity for students to hear and discuss opposing viewpoints on a wide range of issues. Providing a forum in no way implies university approval or endorsement of the views expressed by the sponsored speaker.

Procedures for Student Organization Speaker Review

Affirming the vision, values and mission of DePaul University expressed in the DePaul University Mission Statement and the Guiding Principles on Speech and Expression, DePaul is committed to fostering an educational community that welcomes free and open discourse.

Standing in the Catholic, Vincentian, and American university traditions, free and open discourse at DePaul has a unique character. Among other things, speech and discourse have, as their end, the pursuit of truth, the search for the common good, the broadening of perspectives, and the amelioration of injustice, as well as the deepening of mutual respect, understanding, and solidarity among all people and cultures.

Speakers provide an opportunity for students to hear and discuss opposing viewpoints on a wide range of topics. As such, DePaul encourages student organizations to plan, promote, and engage in thoughtful, respectful and challenging dialogue, including through guest speakers. Providing a forum in no way implies university approval or endorsement of the views expressed by the sponsored speaker.

To facilitate registered student organizations bringing speakers who are not members of the DePaul community to campus, DePaul has implemented the process detailed below. All student organizations seeking to invite a speaker to campus are required to use this process. This process will be annually reviewed by BEAM.

As part of our commitment to clarity and collaboration in event planning, the Speaker Review Process includes questions to identify event sponsorship. These questions ask whether an event is co-sponsored, require listing of all sponsoring organizations, and designate a primary sponsor and any secondary sponsors. Clear identification of primary versus secondary sponsorship ensures accountability for funding, space reservations, contracts, and event logistics, while also recognizing the contributions of collaborative partners. This information helps the university ensure events are planned responsibly, align with DePaul’s mission, and provide transparency regarding sponsoring organizations.

This process applies to:

  • Speakers from outside the DePaul Community (anyone who is not a current student, faculty, or staff member) for on-campus events
  • Events when attendance is open to "Members of the student organization (DePaul chapter) and members of the campus community (Current DePaul faculty, students, and staff)." This designation will be noted as part of the DeHUB event submission process for student organizations.
  • Events when attendance is open to "Members of the student organization (DePaul chapter) and members of the campus community (Current DePaul faculty, students, and staff) and open to external guests." This designation will be noted as part of the DeHUB event submission process for student organizations.
  • Events with speakers in which the primary host is a student organization, even when in collaboration with a university department.

This process does not apply to:

  • Speakers from within the DePaul community (current students, faculty, and staff members)
  • Speakers at off-campus events
  • Faculty, academic units, or university units or groups other than registered student organizations who are bringing speakers to campus.  A faculty, academic unit, or university unit or group must be the primary event sponsor for the experience to be exempt from Speaker Review.
  • invited guests other than speakers (musicians, comedians, cultural presentations, etc.)
  • Events when attendance is limited to "Members of the student organization (DePaul chapter) only." Membership in a student organization is defined by a student organization's constitution. This designation will be noted as part of the DeHUB event submission process for student organizations.

Step 1: Application

Any student organization seeking to invite a speaker to speak on-campus must complete an application through the DeHub Event Approval Process. The request is then sent to the Speaker Review Board for evaluation of the request.

Student organizations are encouraged to submit applications for speakers with as much lead time as possible. At a minimum, applications must be submitted in alignment with the below timeline, keeping in mind funding requests deadlines if funding is needed for the event. The Speaker Review Committee may request more detailed procedures regarding the application process and timeline.

Step 2: Speaker Review Board Meeting

The Student Organization Speaker Review Board meets on the dates noted in the schedule below. The Board reviews and makes recommendations on speaker request applications submitted by registered student organizations. Recommendations are shared with senior university leadership as to request approval or denial. Student organization applications approved will facilitate a time, place and manner conversation with Public Safety and Student Affairs.

In order to be considered, request forms must be submitted in alignment with the below schedule.

Step 3: Committee Approval or Denial

Student Organizations will receive approval or denial via the DeHub notification portal.

Once the board approves your Speaker Review application you may submit your SAFB funding application for the event. Your funding application will be denied if you have not received approval from the Student Organization Speaker Review Board.

Step 4: Speaker Disclaimer Statement

When a speaker is approved, it is the university's expectation that the Speaker Disclaimer statement be read to those in attendance. A copy of that statement can be found here.

Additional Considerations

If a student organization needs to change the following aspects of their application, it will need to go through the Student Organization Speaker Review Board for approval again:

  • The person who will be speaker
  • A new speaker is added to the program
  • The content of the program
  • The size of the audience
  • Who will be attending or who is the audience

The university's Guidelines for Speech and Expression and other guiding documents can be found here.

Communication

All communication and questions regarding the Student Organization Speaker Review process should be directed to SpeakerReview@depaul.edu.

Board Considerations/Time, Place, & Manner

  • Considerations

    When making recommendations regarding speakers, and considering all the information provided by the student organization through the application process and at the meeting, the Speaker Review Committee considers the following criteria:

    • Whether the speaker aligns with DePaul’s educational mission. We expect speakers encourage mutually respectful inquiry on a wide-variety of subjects. Speakers that encourage hatred or physical violence are not aligned with DePaul’s mission.
    • Whether the speaker aligns with DePaul’s Guiding Principles on Speech and Expression.
    • Whether the speaker may reasonably be expected to urge unlawful order or otherwise threaten public safety or the physical safety of any members of the DePaul community.
    • Whether the speaker may reasonably be expected to significantly threaten the safe and orderly operation of DePaul business or facilities.
    • Whether the speaker has a history of abuse or intimidation of an identifiable person or community of people in a derogatory fashion based on race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, parental status, family relationship status, physical or mental disability, military status, genetic information, or other protected status.

  • Time, Place, & Manner

    Once approved, the Office for Student Involvement, Student Centers, and other areas as appropriate, work with the student organization regarding event planning, including time, place, and manner considerations. When making determinations regarding time, place, and manner, DePaul will be mindful of its commitment to fostering an educational community that welcomes free and open discourse, and of the Guiding Principles on Speech and Expression. Additionally, when making determinations regarding time, place, and manner, DePaul will take into account the preferences of the student group and the impact that any time, place, and manner considerations may have on the success of the event, as defined by the organization's goals.

    Additionally, however, DePaul recognizes that it has an obligation to ensure the safety and security of the campus and members of the DePaul community, and the continuance of university business. As such, DePaul has the final determination as to all elements of time, place, and manner for all events on campus, including whether an event takes place. As part of the initial review process (detailed above), the Speaker Review Committee will have the opportunity to offer its general thoughts about potential time, place, and manner elements. This general information will be included in the recommendation to the Office of Student Involvement and Student Centers.

    Particular time, place, and manner considerations will vary by event. Some specific time, place, and manner considerations that could be discussed in more detail during the event planning process may include those listed below. Other considerations may also arise during event planning.

    • Date and time. For example, DePaul may require that an event take place at a particular date and/or time based on considerations such as size, security, and other business needs.
    • Size. For example, DePaul may require that an event be capped at a particular size based on considerations such as security, location, and other business needs.
    • Location. For example, DePaul may require that an event take place in a particular location based on considerations such as size, security, and other business needs.
    • Security and Staff Presence. For example, DePaul may require a particular level of security or staff presence for an event based on considerations such as previous experiences with the speaker at DePaul or other institutions or potential community response. Additional information on event security expectations can be found here.
    • Audience composition. For example, DePaul may require that an event prioritize attendees from the DePaul community; have a certain percentage of the audience be members of the DePaul community; or, under rare circumstances, be limited to members of the DePaul community.
    • Guest Registration. For example, DePaul may require that a group collect and track advance RSVPs.
    • Event format. For example, DePaul may require that particular event formats be utilized (e.g., include a moderator, asks questions and answers in writing) based on considerations such as previous experiences with the speaker at DePaul or other institutions or potential community response. DePaul will also require that a statement be read at the start of the event indicating that the presence of the speaker on campus does not imply that DePaul has approved or endorsed the views expressed by the speaker.

Speaker Review Schedule

Below you will find the Speaker Review schedule. As a reminder, all applications must be submitted by the application deadline below to be considered.

Speaker Review Schedule 2026-2027 Academic Year

Application Deadline Application Review Eligible Program/Event Dates
September 14, 2026 September 18, 2026 Oct 18, 2026 – June 30, 2027
September 28, 2026 October 2, 2026 Nov 2, 2026 – June 30, 2027
November 2, 2026 November 6, 2026 Dec 6, 2026 – June 30, 2027
January 11, 2027 January 15, 2027 Feb 15, 2027 – June 30, 2027
February 1, 2027 February 5, 2027 Mar 5, 2027 – June 30, 2027
March 1, 2027 March 5, 2027 Apr 5, 2027 – June 30, 2027
April 5, 2027 April 9, 2027 May 9, 2027 – June 30, 2027

Law Student Organizations Speaker Review Schedule 2026-2027 Academic Year

Officially registered student organizations that are affiliated with the Law School have added opportunities for Speaker Review consideration, which can be found here.

Was your submission denied and you aren't sure what to do next?

If your event was denied through the Speaker Review process due to missing a submission deadline, you have a few options that would allow for your event to proceed.  Check out the document here to review options.