Bard College

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: Second Circuit
Head of Institution: President Leon Botstein
Bard College

PO Box 5000
Annandale on Hudson, NY 12504
845-758-6822
president@bard.edu
Website: http://www.bard.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

Policies on Diversity and Multiculturalism (Learn More)

Student Handbook: Bard College Statement of Commitment to Diversity 11-12

Our students, faculty, staff and administration stand united in support of an inclusive environment in which freedom of expression is balanced with a respectful standard of dialogue.
View full policy (PDF, 215 KB).

Harassment Policies (Learn More)

Student Handbook: Harassment/Discrimination Policy 11-12

What constitutes sexual harassment may vary based on particular
facts and circumstances. Generally, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors,
and other verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature may be considered to constitute
unlawful sexual harassment when either: ... The conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's
performance by creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.
Harassment is unwelcome, hostile, or inappropriate conduct directed toward an individual because of his or her protected status. Such conduct violates College policy if it (1) has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working, living, or learning environment for the affected individual, or (2) substantially interferes with that individual’s working, living, or learning environment. This can include persistent comments or jokes about an individual’s religion, race, age, or gender; verbal behavior, including insults, remarks, epithets, or derogatory statements directed at an individual or group; nonverbal behavior, including graffiti, inappropriate physical advances short of physical violence; and assault, including physical violence or the threat of physical violence.
View full policy (PDF, 1364 KB).

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

Student Handbook: College Policies, Regulations, and Procedures 11-12

College policy was written with the understanding that students would take on the following responsibilities: ... To treat all members of the College community in a civil and respectful manner.
View full policy (PDF, 569 KB).

Posting Policies

Student Handbook: Sign Posting Policy 11-12

Postings intending to target, embarrass or harm specific groups or an individual will be immediately removed and sponsors may be subject to disciplinary action.
View full policy (PDF, 446 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Student Handbook: Campus Computing 11-12

Inappropriate use includes: ... Sending messages that are severely abusive or threaten an individual’s safety or for sexual, ethnic, religious, minority, or other harassment
View full policy (PDF, 668 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Student Handbook: Free Speech Policy 11-12

The prevailing ethos encourages open discussion and the expression of individual opinion. The College defends the rights of free speech and expression, dissent and protest.
Speech or expression that is not prohibited, but is rude, lacking in respect, disruptive, or hateful is discouraged. The College may voice its disapproval of such expression through private communications, public condemnation, the organization of public forum and calls for more speech and open debate.
View full policy (PDF, 328 KB).

Student Handbook: Community Standards of Behavior 11-12

The Bard College community is committed to freedom of thought and speech, the attainment of the highest quality of academic and personal achievement, and ensuring that academic freedom and uncensored debate continue in an atmosphere uncorrupted by discrimination, harassment, or intimidation.
We understand that in an open educational environment there can be no idea or belief that is intrinsically too abrasive, repugnant or abhorrent to hold.
View full policy (PDF, 465 KB).

Student Handbook: Events Registration 11-12

Bard College strongly affirms the right of free speech for each member of the Bard community.
View full policy (PDF, 660 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 September 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.