Northeastern 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: First Circuit
Head of Institution: President Joseph Aoun
Northeastern University

360 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
617-373-2000
presidentaoun@neu.edu
Website: http://www.northeastern.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)

Office of Institutional Diversity and Equity: Sexual Harassment Policy- What is Sexual Harassment? 11-12

Sexual harassment is defined as sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: ... Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or academic performance by creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive work or academic environment.
View full policy (PDF, 1389 KB).

Student Handbook: Code of Student Conduct- Abuse of Others 11-12

a. Verbal, written, graphic, or electronic abuse.
b. Harassment (defined as repeated and/or continuing behavior), coercion, or intimidation
of an individual or group, either directly and/or indirectly or on the basis of race,
color, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran
status.
c. Bullying, defined as the repeated use of written, verbal or electronic expression and/
or communication and/or a verbal, electronic or physical act or gesture or any combination thereof, directed at a member of the University community that (i) causes
physical, psychological and/or emotional harm to a University community member or
damage to his/her property; (ii) places a University community member in reasonable
fear of harm to him/herself or damage to his/her property; or (iii) creates a hostile,
threatening, intimidating, humiliating or abusive environment [at the University] for
a University community member or substantially interferes with his/her educational
performance, opportunities or benefits. For purposes of this section, bullying may
include, but is not limited to: social exclusion or isolation, humiliation or degradation,
threats, intimidation, harassment, stalking, theft and/or damage/destruction of property,
or the perpetuation of any of the conduct listed in this section by inciting, soliciting or
coercing others to demean, embarrass, humiliate, or cause emotional, psychological
or physical harm to a member of the University community.
View full policy (PDF, 4286 KB).

Office of Institutional Diversity and Equity: Sexual Harassment Policy- Examples of Sexual Harassment 11-12

# Sexual comments or remarks about your body, your hair, your clothing
# Sexual jokes in the classroom or workplace
# Physical gestures such as stroking your hair or arm, massaging your shoulders, kissing you or rubbing, touching or brushing against your body
# Verbal harassment such as the use of names like "broad," "bitch," "bimbo" when referring to a specific woman or to women in general ....
View full policy (PDF, 1389 KB).

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

Student Handbook: Code of Student Conduct- Disorderly Conduct 11-12

Examples include, but are not limited to ...
yelling, or use of profanity toward a University official.
View full policy (PDF, 4286 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Appropriate Use Policy 11-12

The Appropriate Use Policy specifically prohibits the use of Northeastern University's information systems or facilities to:
Harass, threaten, defame, slander, or intimidate any individual or group; Generate and/or spread intolerant or hateful material, which in the sole judgment of
the University is directed against any individual or group, based on race, religion,
national origin, ethnicity, age, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status,
genetic makeup, or disability; Transmit or make accessible material, which in the sole judgment of the University is
offensive, violent, pornographic, annoying, or harassing, including use of
Northeastern information systems to access and/or distribute obscene or sexually
explicit material unrelated to University-sanctioned work or bona fide scholarship ....
View full policy (PDF, 4234 KB).

Policies on Bias and Hate Speech

Bias Incident Response Protocol 11-12

Bias incident: Any conduct, or communication motivated by hatred or prejudice that demeans, degrades or harasses an individual or group based upon membership in a protected category as recognized by law or Northeastern University policy....
Targeted person(s) or witness(es) should immediately document the alleged bias incident and report the incident to Northeastern University Police Department and/or Institutional Diversity and Equity.
View full policy (PDF, 984 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Student Handbook: Code of Student Conduct- General Expectations 11-12

As citizens and as members of an academic community, students enjoy the same basic rights
and are bound by the same responsibilities as all citizens.
View full policy (PDF, 4286 KB).

Student Handbook: Demonstrations 11-12

The University supports as fundamental to the democratic process the
rights of all members of the University community to express their views and to protest actions
or opinions with which there is disagreement. A university is where individuals express
diverse ideas and viewpoints in an atmosphere free of any physical force.

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