Georgetown 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 John J DeGioia
Georgetown University
Office of the President
204 Healy Hall
37th & O Streets, NW
Washington, DC 20057
202-687-4134
president@georgetown.edu
Website: http://www.georgetown.edu

« Return to School Overview

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)

Student Code of Conduct: Harassment 10-11

Any intentional or persistent act(s) deemed intimidating, hostile, coercive, or offensive.
View full policy (PDF, 614 KB).

Student Affairs and Related Policies: Policy Statement on Harassment 10-11

Harassment, other than sexual harassment, is verbal or physical conduct that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion to an individual because of gender, race, color, religion, age, pregnancy, national origin, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, marital status, family responsibilities, political affiliation, personal appearance, source of income or any basis prohibited by law, when such conduct has the purpose or effect of: unreasonably interfering with an individual’s
academic or work performance; creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational or work environment; or otherwise adversely affecting an individual’s academic or employment opportunities. Harassment may include, but is not limited to: verbal abuse or ridicule, including slurs, epithets, and stereotyping; offensive jokes and comments; threatening, intimidating, or hostile acts, and displaying or distributing offensive materials, writings, graffiti, or pictures.
View full policy (PDF, 437 KB).

Student Affairs and Related Policies: Bias-related Conduct 10-11

Examples of bias-related code violations include:

Any intimidating, hostile, coercive, and/or offensive act which is intentional or persistent (thereby constituting harassment under the Code), which makes use of slurs, phrases, symbols, or conduct, or which is directed at specific individuals or groups of individuals, in such a way as to make an individual or group feel intimidated or unwelcome because of their actual or perceived color, disability, ethnicity, gender, national origin, race, religion, and/or sexual orientation.
Examples of acts that would not be considered a bias-related violation include:

Posting flyers for public events on campus that use speech that may be considered offensive or inflammatory by another individual or group, where the posting is done in a way that does not deface or destroy personal or University property.

Expressing ideas, thoughts, and feelings in public events (such as speeches, dialogues, panel discussions, rallies, etc.) that may be considered harsh or extreme by another individual or group, where the expressions do not amount to harassment.
View full policy (PDF, 437 KB).

Student Affairs and Related Policies: Policy Statement on Harassment 10-11

For the purposes of this policy, sexual harassment is defined as any unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favors or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: ... Such conduct has the purpose or effect of interfering with an individual's work or educational performance, or of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment for work or learning.
View full policy (PDF, 437 KB).

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

Student Affairs and Related Policies: Speech & Expression Policy 10-11

[E]xpression that is indecent or is grossly obscene or grossly offensive on matters such as race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or sexual orientation is inappropriate in a university community and the University will act as it deems appropriate to educate students violating this principle.
View full policy (PDF, 437 KB).

Student Code of Conduct: Disorderly Conduct- Category A 10-11

Disorderly Conduct- Actions or attempted actions that annoy or disturb others.
View full policy (PDF, 789 KB).

Student Code of Conduct: Incivility with University Official- Category A 10-11

Disrespect of a University Official through language or actions.
View full policy (PDF, 703 KB).

Free Speech Zones

Student Affairs and Related Policies: Speech and Expression Policy 10-11

An individual hosting an event is responsible for all costs (including security if such is deemed necessary by the University administration) associated with the event ....
The individual or group hosting such an event must reserve the place where it will occur, in accordance with registration requirements. However, the area adjacent to the ICC ("Red Square") and Leavey Lobby (in inclement weather) shall be available, without prior arrangement, for individuals and groups during daylight hours for the purpose of exchanging ideas.
View full policy (PDF, 437 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Student Affairs and Related Policies: Speech & Expression Policy 10-11

"Free speech" is central to the life of the university. ... The long and short of the matter is that "time, place and manner" are the only norms allowable in governing the expression of ideas and sharing of information that is the very life of the university.
A university is many things but central to its being is discourse, discussion, debate: the untrammeled expression of ideas and information.
[A]ll members of the Georgetown University academic community, which comprises students, faculty and administrators, enjoy the right to freedom of speech and expression. This freedom includes the right to express points of view on the widest range of public and private concerns and to engage in the robust expression of ideas.
View full policy (PDF, 437 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 January 2011. 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.