Red Light School

University of New Mexico

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 Robert G Frank
University of New Mexico
Office of the President
Scholes Hall, Room 160
Albuquerque, NM 87131
505-277-2626
unmpres@unm.edu
Website: http://www.unm.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)

Yellow light: Office of Equal Opportunity: UNM Anti-Sexual Harassment Policy Poster 12-13

Hostile Environment: This type of sexual harassment occurs when unwelcome sexual conduct is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it affects your ability to participate in or benefit from an education program or activity, or creates an intimidating, threatening or abusive educational environment.
Examples: repeated flirtations, advances, or propositions, verbal abuse of a sexual nature; ... graphic verbal comment about an individual's body; sexually degrading words used to describe an individual.
View full policy (PDF, 192 KB).

Red light: University Business Policies and Procedures Manual: Sexual Harassment Policy 12-13

Examples of sexual harassment which shall not be tolerated include but are not limited to:

* suggestive or obscene letters, notes, invitations,
* derogatory comments, epithets, slurs or jokes,
* impeding or blocking movements, touching, or any physical interference with normal work,
* sexual oriented gestures, displaying sexually suggestive or derogatory objects, pictures, cartoons, or posters (the situation will be evaluated for appropriateness such as art displayed in museums versus centerfold in office setting),
* threats or insinuations that lack of sexual favors will result in reprisals, withholding support for appointments, promotions or transfers, change of assignments, or poor performance reviews.
Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:
...
such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or academic environment....
View full policy (PDF, 114 KB).

Red light: Office of Equal Opportunity: Glossary 12-13

Examples of sexual harassment include but are not limited to:

Suggestive or obscene letters, notes, invitations,
Derogatory comments, epithets, slurs or jokes,
Impeding or blocking movements, touching or any physical interference with normal work,
Sexually oriented gestures, displaying sexually suggestive or derogatory objects, pictures, cartoons or posters (the situation will be evaluated for appropriateness such as art displayed in museums versus centerfold in office setting),
Threats or insinuations that lack of sexual favors will result in reprisals, withholding support for appointments, promotions or transfers, change of assignments or poor performance reviews.
View full policy (PDF, 299 KB).

Yellow light: Community Living Guide: Threatening Behavior 12-13

Physical or verbal behavior involves an expressed
or implied threat to interfere with an individual’s
personal safety, academic efforts, employment, or
participation in University-sponsored extracurricular activities; causes the person to have a reasonable expectation that such harm is about to
occur; includes threatening words that are spoken
face-to-face as a personal insult to the listener(s)
and personally abusive language inherently likely
to provoke a violent reaction by the listener or listeners toward the speaker. This type of behavior is not acceptable
and will not be tolerated.
View full policy (PDF, 103 KB).

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

Yellow light: Community Living Guide: Civility 12-13

We define civility as being respectful in all your relationships by respecting the dignity, value and worth of all persons. You may not physically,
verbally, mentally, psychologically or sexually abuse any member of our community, or participate in or condone any form of bigotry, harassment, intimidation or threat, whether verbal, written, physical or psychological, direct or implied. This standard applies equally to residents,
staff and guests.
View full policy (PDF, 113 KB).

Free Speech Zones

Green light: University Business Policies and Procedures Manual: Freedom of Expression and Dissent 12-13

Because of size, safety, logistics, and other considerations, the following types of speech activities must be scheduled in advance: ... Planned demonstrations on campus. A planned demonstration is a public manifestation of protest, condemnation, or approval; taking the form of a mass meeting, procession, picket, or similar activity which is organized and promoted more than a day before the event. Users must schedule such events with the Student Activities Center at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance. This does not apply to spontaneous demonstrations for which there is no prior promotion or organization or where events do not allow at least twenty-four (24) hours notice in advance. In such situations, as much prior notice as possible must be provided to the Student Activities Center.
View full policy (PDF, 112 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Green light: University Business Policies and Procedures Manual: Acceptable Computer Use 12-13

In addition to other standards listed in this policy, examples of misuse include, but are not limited to: ... using computing services for unlawful purposes including fraudulent, threatening, defamatory, harassing, or obscene communications
View full policy (PDF, 281 KB).

Policies on Bias and Hate Speech

Red light: Community Living Guide: Bias-Related Incidents and Hate Crimes 12-13

Bias-related incidents include, but are not limited to, non-threatening name calling and using degrading language or slurs directed toward
a person because of his or her actual or perceived membership in a particular group.
View full policy (PDF, 103 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: University Business Policies and Procedures Manual: Freedom of Expression and Dissent 12-13

As an institution that exists for the express purposes of education, research, and public service, the University is dependent upon the unfettered flow of ideas, not only in the classroom and the laboratory, but also in all University activities. As such, protecting freedom of expression is of central importance to the University. The exchange of diverse viewpoints may expose people to ideas some find offensive, even abhorrent. The way that ideas are expressed may cause discomfort to those who disagree with them. The appropriate response to such speech is speech expressing opposing ideas and continued dialogue, not curtailment of speech.
View full policy (PDF, 112 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 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.