Yellow Light School

University of Southern California

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: Ninth Circuit
Head of Institution: President C.L. Max Nikias
University of Southern California
Office of the President
ADM 110
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0012
213-740-2111
president@usc.edu
Website: http://www.usc.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: SCampus: Behavior Violating University Standards and Appropriate Sanctions 12-13

Comments or actions which are individually directed and which are harassing, intimidating or threatening or interfere with work or learning.
View full policy (PDF, 123 KB).

Green light: SCampus: University Policy on Sexual Harassment 12-13

In the context of the definition...
Verbal sexual harassment may include, but is not limited to, written or spoken epithets; derogatory or sexually suggestive comments or slurs about an individual's body or dress; questions or statements about sexual activity, other than in an appropriate context such as academic study of such activity; sexual jokes and innuendo; whistling or suggestive sounds; or persistent, rejected, requests for dates or to have sex.
Conduct is sexual harassment if it is an unwelcome sexual advance; request for sexual favors; or any other verbal, physical or visual behavior of a sexual nature; when: ... Such conduct (intentionally or unintentionally) is severe or pervasive enough to create an objectively abusive or hostile work or academic environment: that is, an environment that some victim perceives as abusive or hostile and that a reasonable man or a reasonable woman would find abusive or hostile. Such conduct need not be directed at a particular individual.
View full policy (PDF, 90 KB).

Yellow light: USC Equity and Diversity: Sexual Harassment 12-13

Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when any of the following apply: ... such conduct has the effect of interfering with a student's academic performance, or creating an intimidating, hostile, offensive, or otherwise adverse learning environment.
Specific examples of sexual harassment by a student may include, but are not limited to, making written, verbal, physical, and/or visual contact of a sexual nature when the conduct or speech is so severe or pervasive, and offensive, as to undermine others' educational experiences and thus deny equal access to university resources.

* Written examples: suggestive or obscene letters or notes.

* Verbal examples: derogatory comments, slurs, jokes, or epithets of a sexual nature; sexist remarks, requests for sexual favors; repeated and unwelcome propositions for dates.
...
* Visual examples: sexual gestures, inappropriate display of sexually explicit objects, pictures, cartoons, posters, drawings with sexist implications.
View full policy (PDF, 152 KB).

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

Yellow light: SCampus: University Policy on Free Expression and Dissent 12-13

Coercive disruption is construed to include any activity which, contrary to law: ... Contains "fighting words" where (i) the speech, considered objectively, is abusive and insulting rather than a communication of ideas and (ii) it is actually used in an abusive manner in a situation that presents an actual danger.
View full policy (PDF, 70 KB).

Policies Restricting Freedom of Conscience (Learn More)

Yellow light: SCampus: University Philosophy 12-13

Code of Ethics of the University of Southern California ... We do not harass, mistreat, belittle, harm, or take unfair advantage of anyone.
Principles of Community ... As a scholarly community, we aspire to create an environment in which racism, sexism, ageism, xenophobia and homophobia do not go unchallenged.

All who work, live, study and teach in the USC community are here by choice. As part of that choice, we share a commitment to these principles as an integral part of USC’s mission.
View full policy (PDF, 80 KB).

Posting Policies

Green light: SCampus: Advertising, Promotion and Literature Distribution Policies 12-13

1. Content of all printed materials posted or distributed on campus must:
a. Contain no material containing advocacy directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action.
b. Contain no advertisements for "Term Paper Mills" or other products or services which undermine the academic integrity of the university.
c. Contain no true threats or intimidation, meaning language where (i) the speaker means to communicate a serious expression of an intent to commit an act of unlawful violence to a particular individual or group of individuals, or (ii) the speaker directs a threat to a person or group of persons with the intent of placing the victim in fear of bodily harm or death.
d. Contain no advertisements or promotions for alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia.
e. Contain no "fighting words" meaning language where (i) the speech, considered objectively, is abusive and insulting rather than a communication of ideas and (ii) is actually used in an abusive manner in a situation that presents an actual danger that it will cause a breach of peace.
View full policy (PDF, 361 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Yellow light: Implementation Policies Governing Use of Computing Resources at USC: Electronic Communications 12-13

The following list provides examples of inappropriate use of electronic communication: ... Transmitting intimidating, harassing, or threatening electronic communication and/or forging electronic communication. ... All types of unauthorized bulk or junk email are prohibited. Unauthorized email includes, but is not limited to, mass emailings inconsistent with the goals of the institution, unsolicited junk email, and the propagation of chain email.
View full policy (PDF, 164 KB).

Policies on Bias and Hate Speech

Yellow light: Office for Residential Education: Bias Protocol 12-13

Hate Incident
Not all expressions of hate or group bias rise to the level of a hate crime as defined in state and federal statute. Derogatory words or epithets directed against a member of a protected class, as listed above if not accompanied by a threat of harm with the ability to carry it out are considered protected speech and not a hate crime.
If potentially offensive or harmful material (written or verbal) is found in the residence halls, resident advisors serve as first-responders and enact our bias response protocol.
Bias protocol procedures apply to all residents who observe bias incidents and bias/hate crimes and/or discover bias material (whiteboard messages, vandalism, symbols, etc.) in and around University Housing properties (including parking lots, courtyards, dining facilities, and pools).
View full policy (PDF, 204 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: SCampus: University Governance- Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities 12-13

Every member of the academic community shall enjoy the rights of free speech, peaceful assembly and the right of petition.
The university must, therefore, provide an optimal learning environment, and all members of the university community have a responsibility to provide and maintain an atmosphere of free inquiry and expression.
View full policy (PDF, 103 KB).

Green light policy: SCampus: University Policy on Free Expression and Dissent 12-13

Students and student organizations shall be free to examine and discuss all questions of interest to them and to express opinion publicly and privately. They shall be free to support causes by all orderly means which do
not disrupt or substantially interfere with the regular and essential operations and activities of the university,
since such disruption or substantial interference violates the responsible exercise of free inquiry and expression.
The University of Southern California is committed to fostering a learning environment where free inquiry and expression are encouraged and celebrated and for which all its members share responsibility.
The university recognizes the crucial importance of preserving First Amendment rights and maintaining open
communication and dialogue in the process of identifying and resolving problems which arise in the
dynamics of life in a university community.
View full policy (PDF, 70 KB).

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