Red Light School

Texas Southern 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: Public
Federal Circuit: Fifth Circuit
Head of Institution: President John M Rudley
Texas Southern University
3100 Cleburne Street
Houston
Houston, TX 77004
713-313-7011
Website: http://www.tsu.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)

Yellow light: Student Code of Conduct: Sexual Harassment Policy 12-13

The University’s sexual harassment policy is designed to apply to employment and academic relationships among faculty, administrators, staff, and students and prohibits male-to-female, female-to-male, faculty-student and same-sex harassment.
Texas Southern University has adopted and incorporated the regulations of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and case law that define sexual harassment and hostile work environment. Prohibited conduct and activities include: ... Any verbal or physical conduct that has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working environment;
Certain conduct in the workplace, whether physical or verbal, committed by supervisors or non-supervisory personnel, including but not limited to references to an individual's body; use of sexually degrading words to describe an individual; offensive comments; off-color language or jokes; innuendoes; and sexually suggestive objects or behavior, books, magazines, photographs, cartoons or pictures ....
View full policy (PDF, 146 KB).

Red light: Student Handbook: Student Code of Conduct Violations- Mental or Bodily Harm 12-13

(a) Intentionally inflicting
mental or bodily harm upon any person; (b)
taking any action for the purpose of inflicting mental
or bodily harm upon any person; (c) taking any reckless,
but not accidental action from which mental or
bodily harm could result to any person; (d) engaging
in conduct (including, but not limited to stalking)
that causes a person to believe that the offender
may cause mental or bodily harm; (e) any act which
demeans, degrades, or disgraces any person.
View full policy (PDF, 159 KB).

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

Yellow light: Student Code of Conduct: Freedom of Expression Policy 12-13

The
University expects that persons engaging in
expressive activities will demonstrate civility,
concern for the safety of persons and property,
respect for University activities, respect for
those who may disagree with their message,
and compliance with University policies and
applicable local, state, and federal laws.
View full policy (PDF, 81 KB).

Yellow light: Student Handbook: Student Code of Conduct Violations- Disorderly Conduct 12-13

Disorderly Conduct: Intentional conduct which tends to disturb the public order and
decorum of the University, including, but not limited to, (a) abusive, profane, indecent, or
vulgar language, (b) offensive gestures or acts, (c) unreasonable noise, (d) fights, quarrels,
or other disruptive behavior.
View full policy (PDF, 159 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Yellow light: Computer Use Policy 12-13

When communicating with others via the University computer system, ensure that communications reflect high ethical standards, mutual respect and civility.
View full policy (PDF, 443 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: Student Code of Conduct: Student Rights, Responsibilities and Requirements 12-13

Students at Texas Southern University have all the rights and privileges expressed in the
constitutions and laws of the United States and of the State of Texas. Basic to these rights is the
guarantee of freedom of speech and assembly.
View full policy (PDF, 80 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.