Red Light School

American 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: DC Circuit
Head of Institution: President Neil Kerwin
American University
Office of the President
4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20016
202-885-2121
president@american.edu
Website: http://www.american.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: Student Handbook: Student Conduct Code 11-12

"Harassment"--an intimidating, hostile, or coercive act which is intentional or persistent.
View full policy (PDF, 34 KB).

Green light: Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Policy 11-12

[U]nwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other oral, written, or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: ... such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's performance,
or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or academic
environment.
View full policy (PDF, 1485 KB).

Green light: Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Policy 11-12

Discriminatory harassment is defined as verbal, written, visual, or physical conduct that denigrates or shows hostility against a protected class when such conduct has the purpose or effect of: 1) unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or academic performance, or 2) creating an intimidating, hostile, humiliating, or offensive working, living, or learning environment.
View full policy (PDF, 1485 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Yellow light: Computer Use and Copyright Policy 11-12

Prohibited actions include, but are not limited to, the following: ... using e-mail or messaging services to harass or intimidate another person (e.g., by broadcasting unsolicited messages, repeatedly sending unwanted mail, or using another individual’s
name or user name).
View full policy (PDF, 291 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: Freedom of Expression Guidelines 11-12

Freedom of expression and dissent is protected by university policy for all members of the university community.
View full policy (PDF, 166 KB).

NOTE: You must have Adobe Acrobat installed to view policies in PDF format.

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