Yellow Light School

Amherst College

Yellow light colleges and universities are those institutions with at least one ambiguous policy that too easily encourages administrative abuse and arbitrary application. Read more here.

Public or Private: Private
Federal Circuit: First Circuit
Head of Institution: President Biddy Martin
Amherst College
Office of the President
103 Converse Hall AC# 2208
P.O. Box 5000
Amherst, MA 01002
413-542-2234
bmartin@amherst.edu
Website: http://www.amherst.edu

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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)

Yellow light: Student Handbook: College Council Statement on Sexual Harassment 12-13

Because it is possible for one person to act unintentionally in a manner that sexually harasses another, it is imperative that all members of the College community understand what kinds of behavior constitute sexual harassment. Hence, we provide here a general description of sexual harassment.

Sexual harassment occurs when one person attempts to coerce another into a sexual relationship or to punish a refusal to respond or comply with sexual advances. Attempts to subject a person to unwanted attention of a sexual character, sexual slurs or derogatory language directed at another person's sexuality or gender also can be forms of sexual harassment. Thus, sexual harassment can include a wide range of behavior, from the actual coercing of sexual relations to the forcing of sexual attentions, verbal or physical, on a non-consenting individual. It is also possible that sexual harassment can occur unintentionally when behavior of a sexual nature has the effect of creating a hostile environment. In some cases, sexual harassment is obvious and may involve an overt action, a threat or reprisal. In other instances, sexual harassment is subtle and indirect, with a coercive aspect that is unstated.
Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other unwelcome verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when: ... (3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work performance, or creating an intimidating, hostile or demeaning working, academic or social environment.
View full policy (PDF, 3332 KB).

Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility (Learn More)

Yellow light: Student Handbook: Amherst College Honor Code- Statement on Respect for Persons 12-13

Respect for the rights, dignity and integrity of others is essential for the well-being of a community. Actions by any persons which do not reflect such respect for others are damaging to each member of the community and hence damaging to Amherst College. Each member of the community should be free from interference, discrimination, intimidation, sexual harassment, or disparagement in the classroom, the social, recreational, and residential environment or the work place. Any behavior which constitutes sexual harassment or other verbal or physical abuse of any member of the community for reasons that include but are not limited to race, color, religion, national origin, ethnic identification, age, political affiliation or belief, sexual orientation, gender, economic status, or physical or mental disability, will be regarded as a serious violation of the Honor Code, and anyone found guilty of such behavior will be disciplined.
View full policy (PDF, 3332 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Yellow light: Student Handbook: Examples of Violations to the Honor Code 12-13

Theft or other abuse of computer time, including but not limited to: ... Use of computing facilities to send obscene or abusive messages.
View full policy (PDF, 3332 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: Student Handbook: Amherst College Honor Code- Statement of Rights 12-13

Subject to respect for the rights of others, every student enjoys the assurance of the full exercise of those rights expressed in the Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities and the preceding three Statements, including but not limited to the following specific rights:

The right to engage in the free exchange of ideas.

The right to protest and to dissent in a peaceable manner and to join with others in other non-violent forms of common action.

The right to complain of injustice and to bring grievances to the appropriate offices of the College without fear of retaliation.
View full policy (PDF, 3332 KB).

Green light policy: Student Handbook: Amherst College Honor Code- Statement of Freedom of Expression and Dissent 12-13

Amherst College prizes and defends freedom of speech and dissent. It affirms the right of teachers and students to teach and learn, free from coercive force and intimidation and subject only to the constraints of reasoned discourse and peaceful conduct. It also recognizes that such freedoms and rights entail responsibility for one's actions. Thus, every student bears the responsibility to protect the rights of all to express their views so long as there is neither use nor threat of force nor interference with the rights of others. Demonstrated cases of disruption of classes (whether, for example, by the abridgement of free expression in a class or by obstructing access to the place in which the class normally meets) or similarly of other academic activities will be regarded as serious breaches of this Statement and community standards and will receive appropriate sanctions.
View full policy (PDF, 3332 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.