Montclair State University

Yellow light colleges and universities are those institutions with at least one ambiguous policy that too easily encourages administrative abuse and arbitrary application. Read more here.

Public or Private: Public
Federal Circuit: Third Circuit
Head of Institution: President Susan A Cole
Montclair State University
College Center 235
Montclair, NJ 07043
973-655-7195
coles@mail.montclair.edu
Website: http://www.montclair.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)

Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedures Involving Students 10-11

Hostile Environment Harassment - Unwelcome conduct that would not have occurred but for the student's gender, that is severe or pervasive enough to make a reasonable person of the same sex believe that the conditions of the student's education are altered and the academic environment is hostile or abusive. The complained-of conduct need not be sexual in nature to constitute hostile environment sexual harassment.
View full policy (PDF, 96 KB).

University Code of Conduct: Harassment 11-12

Students are prohibited from engaging in harassment, intimidation and bullying. A student will be found responsible for harassment, intimidation or bullying if he or she engages in conduct ... that is so severe or pervasive and objectively offensive that 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: a) 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
b) 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
c) 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 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; or
d) a reasonable person should know, under the circumstances, will have the effect of insulting or demeaning any student or group of students.
View full policy (PDF, 11155 KB).

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

University Statement on Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and Tolerance 10-11

All members of the Montclair State community are responsible and accountable for creating an environment that is civil and for personally exemplifying the principles embodied in this statement in their daily interactions.
View full policy (PDF, 91 KB).

University Code of Conduct: Disruptive Conduct 11-12

Disruptive conduct includes, but is not limited to: ... threatening or obscene language or behavior in public places.
View full policy (PDF, 11155 KB).

Posting Policies

University Code of Conduct: Residence Hall Regulations- Postings/Signs 11-12

Signs, which promote the consumption of alcohol, the use of controlled dangerous substances, or anything, viewed as obscene and inappropriate behavior may not be displayed in any public area (e.g., windows, students room windows, doors, common areas, etc.).
View full policy (PDF, 11155 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Guidelines for Responsible Computing 10-11

You must be sensitive to the public nature of shared facilities, and take care not to display on screens in such locations images, sounds or messages which could create an atmosphere of discomfort or harassment for others. You must also refrain from transmitting to others in any location inappropriate images, sounds or messages which might violate the University statements on harassment.
View full policy (PDF, 129 KB).

Policies on Bias and Hate Speech

Bias Response Taskforce: Bias and Free Speech 10-11

A bias incident is conduct, speech, or expression that is motivated by bias or prejudice but doesn't involve a criminal act. Bias incidents may, however, violate campus codes or policies.
A hate preacher comes to campus with sexist and homophobic signs and pamphlets and is preaching in the quad. He is extremely offensive, and people are becoming enraged. His words are about to incite violence. Do you intercede?
View full policy (PDF, 75 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Student Handbook: Student Rights and Responsibilities- Preamble 10-11

Academic institutions exist for the transmission of knowledge, the pursuit of truth, the development of students, and the promotion of the general well being of society. Free inquiry and free expression are indispensable to the attainment of these goals. As members of this academic community, students are encouraged to develop the capacity for critical judgment and to engage in a sustained and independent search for truth.
View full policy (PDF, 114 KB).

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The speech codes and policies above were last fully checked via internet and other research means by FIRE in March 2011. 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.