Red Light School

Columbia University

A red light university has at least one policy that both clearly and substantially restricts freedom of speech. Read more here.

Public or Private: Private
Federal Circuit: Second Circuit
Head of Institution: President Lee C Bollinger
Columbia University
Office of the President
202 Low Memorial Library
535 West 116th Street
New York, NY 10027
212-854-9970
bollinger@columbia.edu
Website: http://www.columbia.edu

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Do you have any information, updates, or changes regarding the policies at this institution? Let us know!

On this page, FIRE has excerpted policies that address speech and expression. You may download the full policy in .pdf form, below.

Restrictions on Expressive Rights

Harassment Policies (Learn More)

Red light: Health Services: Relationship and Sexual Violence- Sexual Harassment 12-13

Sexual Harassment is any unwanted sexual attention; it: Can be intentional or unintentional.
Hostile environment: * Repeated unwanted behavior * Offensive conduct or comments
View full policy (PDF, 140 KB).

Red light: Essential Policies for the Columbia Community: Gender-Based Misconduct Policies for Students 12-13

Examples of gender-based misconduct: ... Belittling remarks about a person's gender or belittling remarks about a person's sexual
orientation based in gender-stereotyping; inappropriate sexual innuendoes or humor; ... Use of email, the Internet, or other forms of digital media to facilitate any of the above
referenced behaviors
View full policy (PDF, 1324 KB).

Yellow light: Essential Policies for the Columbia Community: Student Policies and Procedures on Discrimination and Harassment 12-13

Discriminatory harassment is defined as subjecting an individual on the basis of her or his membership in a Protected Class to humiliating, abusive, or threatening conduct or behavior that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual or group; that creates an intimidating, hostile, or abusive learning, living, or working environment; that alters the conditions of the learning, living, or working environment; or that unreasonably interferes with an individual’s academic performance.
View full policy (PDF, 305 KB).

Green light: Essential Policies for the Columbia Community: Student Policies and Procedures on Discrimination and Harassment 12-13

Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when: ...
such conduct or behavior has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, demeaning, or offensive academic or living environment.
View full policy (PDF, 305 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Red light: Computing, Network, and Information Policies: Email Usage and Retention Policy 12-13

Nuisance email or other online messages such as chain letters or obscene, harassing,
offensive or other unwelcome messages are prohibited. Such email should be reported to
the departmental system administrator or CUIT help desk immediately.
Unsolicited e-mail messages to multiple users are prohibited unless explicitly approved by the appropriate University authority.
View full policy (PDF, 211 KB).

Policies on Bias and Hate Speech

Red light: Community Support: Responding to Acts of Bias and Hate 12-13

Hate crimes/bias-related incidents involve behavior that is motivated by hostility to race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity and expression, age, or disability. We understand the deep pain and consequence hate crimes/ bias-related actions have on our entire community. Any behavior motivated by hate will not be tolerated. CC/SEAS students involved in perpetrating a hate crime/ bias incident will be subject to an educational and/or disciplinary process determined by Judicial Affairs.
View full policy (PDF, 557 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: Essential Policies for the Columbia Community: Rules of University Conduct- Demonstrations, Rallies, and Picketing 12-13

While the University as a private institution is not subject to the Constitutional provisions on free speech and due process of law, the University by its nature is dedicated to the free expression of ideas and to evenhanded and fair dealing with all with whom it conducts its affairs.
View full policy (PDF, 799 KB).

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The speech codes and policies above were last fully checked via internet and other research means by FIRE in November 2012. According to FIRE’s research the substantive policies are current at least until this date. Directory information, including the name of the president of the college or university, may have been updated more recently. If any policy has been revised, or if you believe that we are in error, please contact us.