McMaster University has released draft "freedom of expression" guidelines that outline "acceptable" methods to protest appearances by polarizing figures like Jordan Peterson.

There are very narrow grounds under which McMaster should restrict or stop a speaker or an event. - McMaster's committee on protest and freedom of expression

The document was created by the university's "committee on protest and freedom of expression" in response to an increasingly polarized political and social climate where protests on campus are becoming more heated.

The committee was formed in the wake of an appearance on campus last year by Peterson, a controversial University of Toronto professor.

Peterson was making an appearance for what was supposed to be an academic debate about freedom of speech and political correctness, especially in academic settings. Some take issue with his beliefs, like his objection to the use of genderless pronouns and laws that would require him to use them.

The debate quickly turned into a shouting match as Peterson struggled to be heard over clanging cowbells, blowing air horns and chanting protestors. One person was seen blowing an air horn very close to Peterson's ear. Another person reportedly threw glitter on his face and suit.

"As an academic community, it is crucial that McMaster's campus is a place where a diverse range of opinions and perspectives can be held, and where respectful debate and critical inquiry are able to flourish in an atmosphere of mutual tolerance and understanding," the committee's report says.

"The temptation to 'shut down' or prevent events from occurring is troubling. Censorship is not an option. There are very narrow grounds under which McMaster should restrict or stop a speaker or an event, essentially those dealt with in federal and provincial laws governing harassment, libel, slander and hate speech."

McMaster University political science professor Peter Graefe was one of the contributors to the Ad-Hoc Committee's report on campus protests. Others included faculty associate vice-president Susan Searls-Giroux, political science professor Karen Bird, biology professor Ana Campos, as well as student representatives. (Radio-Canada)

The draft guidelines outline examples of "acceptable" and "unacceptable" dissent. Picketing, for example, is fair game, as long as it's "in an orderly way or distributing literature outside the meeting" and doesn't "impede access to the meeting."

The guidelines also seem to contain a direct response to the Peterson appearance.

"Chanting, blowing horns or whistles, or making other sustained or repeated noise in a manner which substantially interferes with the speaker's communication is not permitted, whether inside or outside the meeting," the guidelines say.

"Unacceptable behaviour," according to the guidelines, includes using threatening force or violence, inciting violence or hatred against a person or identifiable group, physically intimidating a speaker or audience, doing things that could endanger safety, and causing property damage.

The university says that feedback on the documents is welcome. Anyone looking to voice concerns about the draft guidelines can email univsec@mcmaster.ca before the end of this month.