Red Light School

University of Connecticut

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: Second Circuit
Head of Institution: President Susan Herbst
University of Connecticut
Office of the President
Gulley Hall, 352 Mansfield Road
Storrs Mansfield, CT 06269
860-486-2000
president@uconn.edu
Website: http://www.uconn.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)

Red light: Student Code: Information Regarding Sexual Misconduct, Relationship Violence and Stalking Cases Reported to Community Standards 12-13

Examples of sexual harassment include, but are not limited to:
...
* Suggestive comments
* Public display of pornographic or suggestive calendars, posters, or signs.
* Acts that do not necessarily involve conduct of a sexual nature but are based on sex or sex-stereotyping and which may include physical aggression, intimidation or hostility are considered gender-harassment and are similarly prohibited.
Sexual Harassment is any unsolicited and unwanted sexual advance, or any other conduct of a sexual nature whereby (a) submission to these actions is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment, performance appraisal, or evaluation of academic performance; or (b) these actions have the effect of interfering with an individual’s performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.
View full policy (PDF, 341 KB).

Red light: Policy Statement on Harassment 12-13

Every member of the University shall refrain from actions that intimidate, humiliate, or demean persons or groups, or that undermine their security or self-esteem.
View full policy (PDF, 2242 KB).

Yellow light: The Student Code: Proscribed Conduct 12-13

Harming behavior which includes, but is not limited to, the true threat of or actual physical assault or abuse; stalking; bullying; and/or harassment. In determining whether an act constitutes harassment, Community Standards will consider the full context of any given incident, giving due consideration to the protection of University climate, individual rights, freedom of speech, academic freedom and advocacy. Please note that not every act that might be offensive to an individual or a group necessarily will be considered as harassment and/or a violation of The Student Code.
View full policy (PDF, 187 KB).

Policies Restricting Freedom of Conscience (Learn More)

Yellow light: The U Conn Creed 12-13

I will respect the dignity and rights of all persons. I will demonstrate concern for others and live up to my community responsibilities.
View full policy (PDF, 336 KB).

Free Speech Zones

Yellow light: Student Organization Manual: Event Planning and Facility Use 12-13

All student organization events using any University facility must be registered in advance with the Student Union Event Services Office in the Student Union. Such event registration may require approval in advance from the Student Union and/or other University departments. Contact the Student Union Event Services Office for additional information.
An organization event is defined as any activity or gathering that can be reasonably associated with an organization by one or more of the following:
a significant number of attendees are members of an organization;
the event, activity, gathering is held at a location reserved for, owned by, rented by, or otherwise associated with an organization;
promotional material associates the event, activity, or gathering with a specific organization;
the activities can be reasonably associated with a particular organization
View full policy (PDF, 640 KB).

Posting Policies

Yellow light: Canvassing, Posting and Solicitation in the Residential Areas 12-13

Residential Life reserves the right to not approve any posting due to space or time limitation, or inappropriate content.
View full policy (PDF, 312 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: Office of Student Services and Advocacy: Student Bill of Rights 12-13

The right of expression includes the right to dissent. The University recognizes a fundamental obligation to protect this aspect of free expression on campus.
View full policy (PDF, 199 KB).

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