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.
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 12-13
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, 51 KB).
Harassment Policies (Learn More)
Student Handbook: Free Speech Policy 12-13
Speech or conduct that employs force or the threat of force is prohibited. Deliberate conduct that egregiously interferes with another’s speech, particularly in the regular academic and intellectual pursuits of the College, is prohibited.
Threats, harassment, coercion, and acts threatening or causing physical harm are prohibited at Bard, as they are in the public community.
View full policy (PDF, 78 KB).
Student Handbook: Harassment/Discrimination Policy 12-13
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.
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.
View full policy (PDF, 170 KB).
Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility (Learn More)
Student Handbook: College Policies, Regulations, and Procedures 12-13
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, 130 KB).
Posting Policies
Student Handbook: Sign Posting Policy 12-13
Bard College fosters and supports the exchange of information and expression of ideas. To that end, students are not allowed to remove flyers they find offensive. An example of such a flyer should be brought to the attention of the Office of Student Activities. Postings that violate the free speech policy may be removed and sponsors may be subject to disciplinary action.
View full policy (PDF, 64 KB).
Internet Usage Policies
Student Handbook: Campus Computing 12-13
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, 87 KB).
Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
Student Handbook: Free Speech Policy 12-13
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, 78 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 12-13
Bard College strongly affirms the right of free speech for each member of the Bard community.
View full policy (PDF, 115 KB).
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The speech codes and policies above were last fully checked via internet and other research means by FIRE in September 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.
