Red Light School

Tufts 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 Anthony P Monaco
Tufts University
Ballou Hall, 2nd Floor
Medford, MA 02155
617-627-3300
Website: http://www.tufts.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)

Yellow light: Student Judicial Process Handbook: Tufts University Code of Conduct 12-13

Some of the policies that collectively make up our code of conduct require: ... Avoiding harassing, hazing or bullying behavior, including that using electronic
resources and including that based on race, gender, religion, sexual orientation,
gender identity or expression, age, ability, and ethnic or national origin.
View full policy (PDF, 358 KB).

Yellow light: Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action: Sexual Harassment Policy 12-13

The following are some examples of conduct, particularly when unwelcome, which may
constitute sexual harassment: ... gender harassment, including sexist statements and behavior that convey insulting,
degrading, or sexist attitudes ... sexually explicit statements, questions, jokes, or anecdotes regardless of the means of
communication (oral, written, email, text messages, etc.)....
Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination. It includes unwelcome sexual advances,
requests for sexual favors, and other physical or verbal conduct of a sexual nature or conduct
directed at a person because of his or her gender when: ... Such conduct, whether verbal or physical, has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with the individual's academic or work performance or of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment in which to work or to learn.
View full policy (PDF, 594 KB).

Red light: Graduate Student Handbook: Harassment 12-13

When attitudes or opinions are
expressed in words, e-mail, or behavior
and constitute a threat, intimidation,
verbal attack, or physical assault,
it is harassment, which is prohibited
at Tufts and may result in disciplinary
consequences. Characterizing behavior
as a prank or practical joke does
not change its harassing nature if the
subject of the joke is not a willing or
active participant. Phone calls that
individuals have stated are unwanted,
misuse of message boards, e-mail
messages, and other behaviors calculated
to annoy, embarrass, or distress
are harassing behavior and are prohibited.
View full policy (PDF, 72 KB).

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

Yellow light: Guide to On-Campus Living: Residents Bill of Rights 12-13

All residential students of Tufts University have the following rights: ... The right to be free from fear of intimidation, physical and emotional harm.
View full policy (PDF, 28 KB).

Red light: Student Handbook: Freedom of Expression 12-13

Members of the university community, including academic and administrative leaders, must hold accountable those who do not respect these values.
Members of the Tufts community owe one another the basic respect and ethical obligations of human beings engaged in a common endeavor. While not enjoying the force of law, these obligations reflect three basic community values: 1) respect for the freedom of other community members to inquire and express themselves fully; 2) the need to exercise freedom of expression and inquiry in ways that respect the human dignity of others; and 3) the importance of a climate at Tufts that is conducive to learning and in which all community members, regardless of background, are free from behavior that interferes with their ability to study, grow, and attain their full potential.
Achieving our educational mission requires an environment of respect, tolerance, and civil dialogue.
View full policy (PDF, 6142 KB).

Posting Policies

Yellow light: Policy on Advertising/Posting/Solicitation/Vending and Distribution 12-13

No postings with profanity or explicit sexual material.
The Office of Residential Life and Learning ... reserves the right to refuse any posting based on its content or lack of required information.
No defaming of groups or slurs because of sex, race, ethnic or religious identity or sexual orientation.
View full policy (PDF, 155 KB).

Policies on Bias and Hate Speech

Yellow light: Reporting a Bias Incident 12-13

Bias Incident - any act directed against a person or property that includes the use of slurs or epithets expressing bias on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.
View full policy (PDF, 453 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: Student Handbook: Political Activities 12-13

The University is committed to free and open discussion of ideas and opinions.
View full policy (PDF, 6136 KB).

Green light policy: Student Handbook: Gatherings, Demonstrations and Disturbances 12-13

Tufts believes free inquiry and expression are indispensable in attaining the goals of the university. Toward this end, Tufts encourages members of the university community to develop the ability to exercise critical judgment, and supports the rights of individuals to express their views and opinions.
View full policy (PDF, 6148 KB).

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