Red Light School

Kean 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: Third Circuit
Head of Institution: President Dawood Farahi
Kean University
President's Office
1000 Morris Ave
Union, NJ 07083
908-737-7000
dfarahi@kean.edu
Website: http://www.kean.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)

Green light: Student Handbook: Policy on Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying 12-13

A student will be found responsible for harassment, intimidation or bullying if he or she engages in conduct, including any gesture, written, verbal or physical act, or any electronic communication (which includes e-mails, text messages, and Internet postings on web-sites or other social media), whether it be a single incident or series of incidents, that occurs on the University’s campus, through use of University facilities, or at any function sponsored by the University or any University-related organization, on or off-campus; that is so severe or pervasive and objectively offensive that it substantially disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of the University or the rights of any student or other member of the University community; and that:
involves intimidation or threats to another person's safety, rights of personal privacy and property, academic pursuits, University employment, or participation in activities sponsored by the University or organizations or groups related to the University; or
a reasonable person should know, under the circumstances, will have the effect of insulting or demeaning any student or group of students; or
creates an intimidating or hostile environment by substantially interfering with a student’s education, or by materially impairing the academic pursuits, employment or participation of any person or group in the University community, or by severely or pervasively causing physical or emotional harm to the student or other member of the University community; or
a reasonable person should know, under the circumstances, will have the effect of physically or emotionally harming a student or other person or damaging the person’s property or placing him/her in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm to his/her person, or to any member of that person's family or household, or of damage to his/her property.
View full policy (PDF, 656 KB).

Yellow light: Student Code of Conduct 12-13

Kean University students show respect for each other, for property and for the community. Behavior that violates this value includes, but is not limited to:
Bullying, threatening, intimidation, or severe verbal or physical abuse.
View full policy (PDF, 1031 KB).

Green light: Student Code of Conduct 12-13

[S]exual harassment--sex or gender-based verbal or physical conduct that unreasonably interferes with or deprives someone of educational access, benefits or opportunities
View full policy (PDF, 1031 KB).

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

Yellow light: Office of Residence Life: Community Standards and Procedures 12-13

Use of abusive or profane language to staff, Residence Life administrators or other students.
View full policy (PDF, 1088 KB).

Free Speech Zones

Yellow light: Student Handbook: General Procedures Governing Use of University Facilities and Grounds 12-13

No organization, group or individual may use University facilities or grounds without applying for and receiving approval from the appropriate University office.
View full policy (PDF, 554 KB).

Posting Policies

Yellow light: Student Handbook: Posting Policy 12-13

All printed materials to be posted on campus bulletin boards/weekly posting boards must be approved by the Center for Leadership and Service located in the University Center Room 219.
View full policy (PDF, 573 KB).

Yellow light: Resident Student Handbook: Posting and Advertisement Procedures 12-13

The encased bulletin boards are available to all University-recognized student groups and campus offices. All postings must be approved and stamped by the Office of Residence Life prior to distribution. The following guidelines and criteria are necessary for approval to post or distribute publicity in the residence halls: ... Discriminatory or derogatory material based on race, ethnic origin, gender, disability, age, religion or sexual orientation will not be accepted or tolerated.
View full policy (PDF, 3479 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Red light: Student Handbook: Computer Related Acceptable Use Policy 12-13

The following types of information or software cannot be placed on any system on or
off campus: ... That which is abusive, profane or sexually offensive to the average person.
You must not harass other by sending annoying, threatening, libelous, or sexually,
racially or religiously offensive messages.
View full policy (PDF, 749 KB).

Yellow light: Student Code of Conduct 12-13

Examples of misuse include:
Use of computing facilities to send harassing or abusive messages.
View full policy (PDF, 1031 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: Student Handbook: Policy Statement on Free Speech & Dissent 12-13

Kean University has a long-standing commitment to basic constitutional freedoms. These freedoms are important not only because they are guaranteed within the constitution, but also when considered in light of our University’s public dedication to the "transmission of knowledge, the pursuit of truth, the development of students, and the general well-being of society."
View full policy (PDF, 721 KB).

NOTE: You must have Adobe Acrobat installed to view policies in PDF format.

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.