Red Light School

University of Massachusetts at Lowell

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: First Circuit
Head of Institution: Chancellor Marty Meehan
University of Massachusetts at Lowell
Chancellor's Office Cumnock Hall, 2nd Floor
Cumnock Hall, 2nd Floor
One University Avenue
Lowell, MA 01854
978-934-2201
Marty_Meehan@uml.edu
Website: http://www.uml.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 Conduct Code and Discipline Process: University of Massachusetts Lowell Standards 12-13

Sexual harassment is defined as objectionable, unwanted sexual attention from either a person in a position of authority or power or from a peer. Sexual harassment also can involve verbal or written communication of a sexual nature that create an intimidating, hostile or offensive educational living or work environment.
View full policy (PDF, 303 KB).

Green light: Student Conduct Code and Discipline Process: University of Massachusetts Lowell Standards 12-13

Conduct less than a physical attack or physical interference which interferes with a person in the conduct of his or her customary or usual affairs, such as the posting of threatening letters directed to the person, the use of threatening language directed at another, harassing or threatening telephone calls, email, voicemail, posting of materials in on-line communities, instant messaging (IM), or the vandalism of a person's room (e.g. by graffiti). The University has special concern for incidents in which persons are subject to such conduct because of membership in a particular racial, religious, gender or sexual orientation group.
View full policy (PDF, 303 KB).

Red light: Equal Opportunity and Outreach: Sexual Harassment 12-13

Hostile environment: Unwelcome sexual behavior that makes the work/academic environment offensive, hostile or intimidating (unwelcome, repeated, causes harm).

Sexually harassing behavior includes:

(1) gender harassment, including sexist statements and behavior that conveys insulting, degrading, or sexist attitudes

(2) seductive behavior encompassing unwanted, inappropriate, and offensive physical or verbal sexual advances

(3) sexual bribery, involving solicitation of sexual activity or other sex-linked behavior by promise of reward

(4) sexual coercion of sexual activity or other sex-linked behavior by threat of punishment
Sexual Harassment is unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when ... (3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment.
View full policy (PDF, 132 KB).

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

Yellow light: Student Conduct Code and Discipline Process: Specific Standards 12-13

Racism - No student shall engage in any discriminatory activity based upon color of skin or ethnic or national origin. Racist activities include but are not limited to verbal or written threats, slander or slurs, and racially motivated physical assaults on or off campus.
View full policy (PDF, 303 KB).

Yellow light: Student Code of Conduct & Discipline Process: University of Massachusetts Lowell Standards 12-13

Lewd or indecent conduct or expression, on or off campus/University property, or at University sponsored or supervised functions are a violation of the Student Conduct Code.
View full policy (PDF, 303 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Red light: Computer and Network Usage Policy 12-13

Unauthorized use includes, but is not limited to, the following: ... Use of any resource irresponsibly or in a manner that needlessly affects the work of others. This includes transmitting or making accessible offensive, or harassing material ....
View full policy (PDF, 69 KB).

Red light: Responsible/Acceptable Use of Computing and Data Resources Standards 12-13

Any use which in the University's determination is contrary to its mission, goals, and
values, or which is detrimental to the University's good name and reputation, and/or
which adversely impacts the University and/or the University community
Posting, sending or publicly displaying or printing unsolicited mail or materials that
violate existing laws or University policies/codes of conduct. Such material includes, but
is not limited to those that are of a fraudulent, obscene, offensive, defamatory, harassing,
abusive, or threatening nature. Additionally, the University has special concern for
incidents in which individuals are subject to harassment or threat because of membership
in a particular racial, religious, gender or sexual orientation group.
View full policy (PDF, 648 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: Guidelines for Responses to Demonstrations on University Property 12-13

The University of Massachusetts recognizes the rights of members of the University community to freedom
of assembly and speech, and strongly believes in fostering discourse and the free exchange of ideas at the
University.
View full policy (PDF, 53 KB).

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