Red Light School

Troy 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: Eleventh Circuit
Head of Institution: Chancellor Jack Hawkins, Jr.
Troy University
Office of the Chancellor
216 Adams Administration Building
Troy, AL 36082
334-670-3200
jhawkins@troy.edu
Website: http://www.troy.edu

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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: Troy University Policy on Harassment and Discrimination 12-13

Examples of harassment include gestures, remarks, jokes,
taunting, innuendo, display of offensive materials, threats, imposition of academic penalties, hazing, stalking, shunning or exclusion
related to the discriminatory or harassment grounds
For purposes of Troy University’s policy, harassment is any
comments or conduct consisting of words or actions that are unwelcome or offensive to a person in relation to sex, race, age, religion, national origin, color, marital status pregnancy, or disability
or veteran’s status.
View full policy (PDF, 121 KB).

Red light: Student Handbook: Troy University Policy on Harassment and Discrimination 12-13

Sexual harassment as defined by this policy includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for
sexual favors, and any other verbal, graphic, or physical conduct. If these events are of sexual
nature it constitutes sexual harassment when submission to, or rejection of this conduct explicitly or implicitly, affects an individual’s employment or educational experience, unreasonably
interferes with an individual’s work performance or academic performance, or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or educational environment.
Sexual harassment can occur in a variety of circumstances,
including but not limited to the following: ...
3. Continued or repeated sexual jokes, kidding, teasing,
epithets, flirtation, advances, or propositions.
4. Derogatory or demeaning comments about gender,
whether sexual or not.
5. Harassment consistently targeted at only one sex, even if
the content of the verbal abuse is not sexual.
6. Verbal abuse of a sexual nature.
7. Graphic verbal commentary about an individual's body,
clothing, sexual process, or sexual deficiencies.
8. Sexually degrading or vulgar words to describe an individual.
9. Leering, whistling, touching, pinching, brushing the
body, assault, coerced sexual acts, or suggestive, insulting,
or obscene comments or gestures.
10. The display in the workplace or an academic environment
of sexually suggestive objects, pictures, posters or
cartoons.
11. Introduction or utilization of inappropriate sexual material
in an academic setting.
12. Name calling, relating stories, gossip, comments, or
jokes that may be derogatory toward a particular sex.
13. The display of sexually suggestive graffiti.
14. Asking questions about sexual conduct or sexual orientation
or performances.
15. Offensive, repeated requests for dates, even if made after
work.
16. Continued advances of a sexual nature which are rejected,
even after the parties break off a consensual relationship.
View full policy (PDF, 121 KB).

Red light: Student Handbook: Housing and Residence Life- Harassment 12-13

Discrimination, harassment, exclusion, abusive or insensitive language, or any other manifestation of bigotry with respect to race, ethnicity, gender, religious affiliation, physical or mental ability, age, or sexual orientation are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Any such acts will be dealt with as a serious violation of housing policy.
View full policy (PDF, 24 KB).

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

Yellow light: Standards of Conduct 12-13

A student or organization may be disciplined, up to and including
suspension and expulsion, and is deemed in violation of the "STANDARDS OF
CONDUCT," for the commission of or the attempt to commit any of the following
offenses: ... Lewd, indecent, obscene behavior or expression.
View full policy (PDF, 54 KB).

Free Speech Zones

Yellow light: Student Handbook: Speech and Demonstration Policies 12-13

Troy University recognizes and supports the rights of students and employees to speak in public and to demonstrate in a lawful manner in designated areas of the campus and at designated times.
In order to maintain safety, security and order, and to ensure the orderly scheduling of campus facilities, and to preclude conflicts with academic and curricular activities, Troy University reserves the
right to limit such activities regarding time, place, and manner of such activities. The specific location for these activities shall be determined by the Student Services Office on each campus. Please consult the specific section for the campus in question. In general, the amphitheater adjacent to the Trojan
Center maybe used for such events on the Troy campus.
View full policy (PDF, 26 KB).

Posting Policies

Yellow light: Student Handbook: Advertising, Distribution of Literature, Notices and other Printed Materials 12-13

Organizations or individuals proposing to distribute printed materials on the campus must
obtain permission from the Director of Student Involvement and Leadership (Troy) or the
Student Services Office (other campuses).
View full policy (PDF, 50 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Red light: Standards of Conduct 12-13

Any activity which creates a mentally abusive, oppressive, or harmful
situation for another is a violation. Use of the mail, telephone, computer and electronic messages, or any other means of communication to insult, threaten, or
demean another is prohibited.
View full policy (PDF, 54 KB).

Red light: Student Handbook: Technology Use Policy 12-13

Cruelty, obscenity, crudity, and offensiveness, for the sake of offensiveness, have no place in the public discourse of a University community. As members of the University community, we
are all responsible to one another and to the thinking and thoughtful community of which each
of us ought to be a valuable part. Each of us must be considerate of other users of University
computer resources and facilities.
For your information, use of campus e-mail, the Internet, or networks for the following purposes
have been subject to criminal, civil, and/or university sanctions at other institutions:
...
Messages deemed offensive to the receiver because of their pointlessly hateful, obscene,
harassing, or libelous content.
View full policy (PDF, 109 KB).

Other Speech Codes

Yellow light: Standards of Conduct: Campus Dress and Decorum 12-13

Students are expected to conduct themselves with the dignity, respect and
propriety associated with the concept of ladies and gentlemen pursuing higher
education on a university campus. Public display of affection is not in keeping
with the standards expected of students at Troy State University. Students are
expected to conduct themselves in a civil manner that will not discredit
themselves or the university.
View full policy (PDF, 33 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: Student Handbook: Commitment to Free Expression 12-13

Students at public universities enjoy robust speech rights under the Constitution in order to contribute to the marketplace of ideas, learn from each other, and freely discuss and debate a wide range
of issues. Troy University is committed to protecting the freedom of speech for students, faculty, and
staff, and will not infringe on speech that may be considered to be an unpopular or inconvenient
expression of ideas.
View full policy (PDF, 25 KB).

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