In order for universities to fulfill their fundamental roles and functions, freedom of expression and academic freedom, which is a part of it, are essential. As stated in our academic principles, universities should serve as a model for society as democratic environments where all opinions, preferences, and beliefs free from violence and discrimination can be expressed. In this context, it is essential to ensure the academic immunity of faculty members and students' written and spoken activities within the scope of freedom of thought and expression.

Boğaziçi University, through its numerous academic and social activities, does not limit them only to its own members but also considers them as public events, emphasizing its public university identity. In its security practices regarding the campus and events, the university has maintained a sensitivity to its public nature. However, with the increasing risk of incidents that could threaten the safety of our students and academic and administrative staff, it has become necessary to reassess the balance between these rights and freedoms and security. It is also clear that such reassessments are not limited to our university or our country. For instance, Yale University, which does not abandon being a public campus, has increased its security personnel over the years and implemented security technology to sustain this approach.

To maintain a democratic and free university, which is extremely valuable for all of us, it is possible only with the collective awareness and determination of faculty members, students, administrative staff, and the university management. For this collective responsibility and determination to be functional, it is necessary to diversify and increase the security measures that have been carefully implemented so far and to closely monitor these practices.