Temple University

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: Public
Federal Circuit: Third Circuit
Head of Institution: President Ann W Hart
Temple University
Sullivan
1330 W Berks Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122-6087
215-204-7405
president@temple.edu
Website: http://www.temple.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)

Policy on Preventing and Addressing Discrimination and Harassment 11-12

Harassment: Unwelcome conduct directed against a person based on one or more of
that person’s Protected Characteristics/Statuses, which conduct is so severe or pervasive
that it interferes with an individual’s employment, academic performance or participation
in University programs or activities, and creates a working, learning, program or activity
environment that a reasonable person would find intimidating, hostile or offensive.
View full policy (PDF, 1126 KB).

Student Code of Conduct: Proscribed Conduct 11-12

Engaging in a course of conduct, including but not limited to stalking, directed at a
member of the university community which would cause a reasonable person in the
victim’s position, severe emotional distress or which would place a reasonable person in
the victim’s position in fear of bodily injury or death, provided that this provision shall
not be interpreted to abridge the right of any member of the university community to
freedom of expression.
View full policy (PDF, 2261 KB).

Policy on Sexual Harassment 11-12

With reference to behavior between an instructor and students of that
instructor, no instructor shall make a sexually suggestive or intimidating remark,
ask a student for a date or sexual favor, or in other ways make a sexual advance to
the student.
For all individuals who are part of the Temple community, sexually harassing conduct
that is sufficiently severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive as to substantially disrupt
or undermine a person’s ability to participate in or to receive the benefits, services, or
opportunities of the University is prohibited, including the following: unwelcome sexual
advances requests for sexual favors, and other harassing conduct or physical contact of a
sexual or gender-motivated nature, when: ... c. such conduct substantially interferes with an individual's work,
educational performance, or equal access to the University’s resources and
opportunities; or

d. such conduct creates an intimidating, hostile, or abusive work or
educational environment.
View full policy (PDF, 3495 KB).

Free Speech Zones

Student Activities: Programming Tips- Security for Events 11-12

The sponsoring student organization must take adequate precautions for the security of attendees at an event, as determined by Campus Safety, in conjunction with the Office of Student Activities and Student Center Operations. Failure to adhere to these security policies may result in an administrative and/or disciplinary sanction. ... Risk Assessment: Increased risks (e.g., threats received) will increase the security requirement.
View full policy (PDF, 815 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Student Code of Conduct: Introduction 11-12

Temple University is a community of scholars in which freedom of inquiry and freedom of
expression are valued.
View full policy (PDF, 353 KB).

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The speech codes and policies above were last fully checked via internet and other research means by FIRE in January 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.