Yellow Light School

Furman 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: Private
Federal Circuit: Fourth Circuit
Head of Institution: President Rodney A Smolla
Furman University
President's Office
Administration 200
3300 Poinsett Highway
Greenville, SC 29613
864-294-2100
Website: http://www.furman.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)

Green light: The Helmsman: Student Conduct Code - Harassment 12-13

Harassment is defined as unwelcome behavior which questions, nags, pesters and/or harasses others for information about a person of interest, and/or verbally or in a threatening manner bullies, torments, heckles or persecutes an individual where: ...
3. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual's
professional or academic performance or of creating an intimidating, hostile or
demeaning employment or educational environment.
View full policy (PDF, 1045 KB).

Green light: The Helmsman: Student Conduct Code- Sexual Harassment 12-13

Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors,
or other behavior of a sexual nature where: ... (3) such conduct has the purpose or effect
of substantially interfering with an individual's academic or professional performance or of
creating an intimidating, hostile, or demeaning employment or educational environment.
View full policy (PDF, 1045 KB).

Posting Policies

Yellow light: The Helmsman: Administrative Policies- Posting of Signs and Banners 12-13

The University retains the right to deny posting of any materials on campus.
Reference to alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, or any other illegal activities in text, graphic or any other form is prohibited.
View full policy (PDF, 565 KB).

Policies on Bias and Hate Speech

Yellow light: The Helmsman: Student Conduct Code- Acts of Intolerance 12-13

Acts of intolerance are prohibited. An act of intolerance can include either overt or covert actions, including verbal attacks and/or physical assaults on students and/or their property (including campus housing doors), which interfere with the educational process at Furman or cause harm.

Acts of intolerance are defined as malicious behaviors that can be motivated by prejudice toward a person or group. They also include malicious behaviors that because of their intent and/or outcome can cause harm, threaten and/or be personally directed against or target an individual or group. These behaviors are based on perceived or actual characteristics such as race, national origin, color, creed, religion, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other category protected by applicable state or federal law.
View full policy (PDF, 1045 KB).

Other Speech Codes

Yellow light: The Helmsman: Administrative Policies- Peaceful Assembly 12-13

[T]his
University should not be expected to provide a platform for persons who would be
obscene, who would advocate immorality or who would incite to violence. Such
persons are offensive to the purposes of a liberal arts college that aspires to
academic excellence.
There shall be no use of violence, force, obscene or indecorous language or conduct in protest or demonstrations.
View full policy (PDF, 565 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: The Helmsman: Student Conduct Procedures- The University's Rights and Responsibilities 12-13

Students are guaranteed freedom of inquiry and expression.
View full policy (PDF, 688 KB).

Green light policy: The Helmsman: Administrative Policies- Peaceful Assembly 12-13

One of the marks of a vital university is freedom of inquiry and expression. Indeed, such a freedom is the mark of a free and democratic society. Education, as contrasted with indoctrination, must provide the student with a wide spectrum of views on vital issues. It is the responsibility of the University, as well as one of its purposes, to help the student learn to distinguish fact from myth, objectivity from bias, tolerance from intolerance. The student should learn to think rationally and reach valid conclusions. The student who is not exposed to varying views on an issue may be denied opportunity to learn the elements of rational thinking. Consequently, the student could miss one of the most important aims of education. Only in a spirit of free inquiry can the student be prepared to assume the responsibilities of constructive citizenship.
View full policy (PDF, 565 KB).

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The speech codes and policies above were last fully checked via internet and other research means by FIRE in February 2013. 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.