Kansas State 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: | Tenth Circuit | |
| Head of Institution: | President Kirk Schulz Kansas State University President's Office 110 Anderson Manhattan, KS 66506 785-532-6221 pres@ksu.edu |
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| Website: | http://www.ksu.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)
Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Violence, and Procedure for Reviewing Complaints 12-13
In this Policy, the term "harassment" can have two different definitions, depending on where the alleged conduct takes place and its context. Harassment meeting either of these definitions is considered discrimination.
In the work and on-campus housing environment, "harassment" is:
Conduct toward a person or persons based on race, color, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, ancestry, disability, genetic information, military status, or veteran status that: (1) has the purpose or effect of: (a) creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment or on-campus housing environment for the person(s); or (b) unreasonably interfering with the work, or on-campus housing, of the person(s); and (2) is sufficiently severe or pervasive that it alters the terms, conditions, or privileges of a person's employment or use of on-campus housing.
In the academic environment, "harassment" is:
Conduct toward a person or persons based on race, color, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, ancestry, disability, genetic information, military status, or veteran status that: (1) has the purpose and effect of: (a) creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment for the person(s); or (b) unreasonably interfering with the academic performance or participation in any university-sponsored activity of the person; or (c) threatening the academic opportunities of the person; and (2) is sufficiently severe or pervasive that it alters the terms, conditions, or privileges of the person's academic opportunities or participation in university-sponsored activities.
View full policy (PDF, 314 KB).
In the work and on-campus housing environment, "harassment" is:
Conduct toward a person or persons based on race, color, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, ancestry, disability, genetic information, military status, or veteran status that: (1) has the purpose or effect of: (a) creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment or on-campus housing environment for the person(s); or (b) unreasonably interfering with the work, or on-campus housing, of the person(s); and (2) is sufficiently severe or pervasive that it alters the terms, conditions, or privileges of a person's employment or use of on-campus housing.
In the academic environment, "harassment" is:
Conduct toward a person or persons based on race, color, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, ancestry, disability, genetic information, military status, or veteran status that: (1) has the purpose and effect of: (a) creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment for the person(s); or (b) unreasonably interfering with the academic performance or participation in any university-sponsored activity of the person; or (c) threatening the academic opportunities of the person; and (2) is sufficiently severe or pervasive that it alters the terms, conditions, or privileges of the person's academic opportunities or participation in university-sponsored activities.
Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Violence, and Procedure for Reviewing Complaints 12-13
Whether conduct is sufficient to constitute "sexual harassment" is evaluated under the totality of the circumstances, including the frequency of the conduct, its severity, whether it is physically threatening or humiliating, or merely an offensive utterance. These factors are evaluated from both subjective and objective viewpoints, considering not only effect that conduct actually had on the person, but also the impact it would likely have had on a reasonable person in the same situation. The conduct must subjectively and objectively meet this definition to be "sexual harassment" under this Policy.
In this Policy, the term "sexual harassment" is a type of harassment that involves unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, disparagement of members of one sex, or other conduct of a sexual nature when: (1) (a) submission to or rejection of such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment, education, on-campus housing, or participation in a university-sponsored activity or program; or (b) submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as the basis for or as a factor in decisions affecting that individual's employment, education, on-campus housing, or participation in a university-sponsored activity or program; or (c) such conduct meets either "harassment" definition in B., above; and (2) the conduct is sufficiently severe or pervasive that it alters the terms, conditions, or privileges of the person's employment, use of on-campus housing, academic opportunities, or participation in university-sponsored activities or programs
View full policy (PDF, 314 KB).
Student Conduct Code 12-13
The following described behaviors constitute misconduct in which disciplinary sanctions will be imposed.
...
3. Conduct that threatens or endangers the mental or physical health or safety of any person, including, but not limited to, physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, and coercion.
View full policy (PDF, 106 KB).
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3. Conduct that threatens or endangers the mental or physical health or safety of any person, including, but not limited to, physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, and coercion.
Department Heads' Resource Page: Sexual Harassment- Types of Sexual Harassment Covered by the Policy 12-13
Hostile environment sexual harassment can include unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors or other conduct of a sexual nature or disparaging comments that is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive to have the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or learning or creating an intimidating, hostile, abusive or offensive work or learning environment. This includes:
1. Gender harassment: generalized sexist statements and behavior that convey insulting or degrading attitudes about women. Examples include insulting remarks, offensive graffiti, whistling at someone, cat calls, obscene jokes or humor about sex or women in general.
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Sex-related comments or gestures: comments or gestures with sexual content or sexual implications: Examples include sexual teasing, jokes, remarks or questions, personal questions about sexual life, kissing sounds, howling and smacking lips, simulating sexual acts, facial expressions, winking, throwing kisses or licking lips, spreading rumors or telling lies about a person's personal sex life or performance; touching oneself sexually or talking about one's sexual activity in front of others; turning discussions to sexual topics, asking about sexual fantasies, preferences or history, making sexual gestures with hands or through body movements, staring, looking a person up and down (elevator eyes).
View full policy (PDF, 112 KB).
1. Gender harassment: generalized sexist statements and behavior that convey insulting or degrading attitudes about women. Examples include insulting remarks, offensive graffiti, whistling at someone, cat calls, obscene jokes or humor about sex or women in general.
...
Sex-related comments or gestures: comments or gestures with sexual content or sexual implications: Examples include sexual teasing, jokes, remarks or questions, personal questions about sexual life, kissing sounds, howling and smacking lips, simulating sexual acts, facial expressions, winking, throwing kisses or licking lips, spreading rumors or telling lies about a person's personal sex life or performance; touching oneself sexually or talking about one's sexual activity in front of others; turning discussions to sexual topics, asking about sexual fantasies, preferences or history, making sexual gestures with hands or through body movements, staring, looking a person up and down (elevator eyes).
Free Speech Zones
Student Organizations On-Campus Event Policy 12-13
[E]vents that are scheduled by registered student organizations which may be controversial in nature or include involvement from high
profile public figures will also be expected to adhere to the following policy ... The necessity of a full-time police officer shall be determined by the facilities
representative at the Pre-Planning Meeting. Should full-time officers be required
for the event, they will be expected to monitor inside and outside the event as
deemed necessary by the Campus Police Representative at the Pre-Planning
Meeting. Additional officers may be required for an event based on past history
of the group and/or event and anticipated turnout of people. The sponsoring
organization will be responsible for the costs incurred from hiring campus police,
unless determined otherwise at the Pre-Planning Meeting.
View full policy (PDF, 200 KB).
profile public figures will also be expected to adhere to the following policy ... The necessity of a full-time police officer shall be determined by the facilities
representative at the Pre-Planning Meeting. Should full-time officers be required
for the event, they will be expected to monitor inside and outside the event as
deemed necessary by the Campus Police Representative at the Pre-Planning
Meeting. Additional officers may be required for an event based on past history
of the group and/or event and anticipated turnout of people. The sponsoring
organization will be responsible for the costs incurred from hiring campus police,
unless determined otherwise at the Pre-Planning Meeting.
Use of KSU Buildings and Grounds 12-13
A Facilities Request for Use of University Buildings and Grounds form (Attachment 200) shall be completed and submitted to the Assistant Vice President for Facilities at least ONE WEEK IN ADVANCE of the requested activity.
View full policy (PDF, 303 KB).
Posting Policies
Publicity Regulations 12-13
Eligible groups may distribute literature on campus or in any campus building (with the approval of the authority of that building), provided such distribution does not unreasonably interfere with the movement of traffic, classes, or other scheduled activities.
View full policy (PDF, 219 KB).
Internet Usage Policies
Information Technology Usage Policy 12-13
Though not exhaustive,
the following list is provided to emphasize that these activities are NOT allowed
on KSU networks or computer systems: ... unlawfully harassing others ... posting or mailing obscene materials ....
View full policy (PDF, 172 KB).
the following list is provided to emphasize that these activities are NOT allowed
on KSU networks or computer systems: ... unlawfully harassing others ... posting or mailing obscene materials ....
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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.
