Red Light School

Barnard College

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: Second Circuit
Head of Institution: President Debora L Spar
Barnard College
Office of the President, 109 Milbank Hall
3009 Broadway
New York, NY 10027
212-854-2021
dspar@barnard.edu
Website: http://www.barnard.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)

Red light: Columbia University Gender-Based Misconduct Policies for Students 12-13

Examples of gender-based misconduct: ... Belittling remarks about a person's gender or belittling remarks about a person's sexual
orientation based in gender-stereotyping; inappropriate sexual innuendoes or humor; ... use of email, the Internet, or other forms of digital media to facilitate any of the above referenced behaviors ....
View full policy (PDF, 282 KB).

Red light: Policy Against Harassment In Employment Practices and in Student Academic and Campus Life 12-13

Discriminatory Harassment is harassment on the basis of a protected classification, including harassment of an individual in connection with a stereotyped group characteristic, or because of that person's identification with a particular group. Such harassment is any conduct, verbal or physical, on or off campus, that has the intent or effect, because of its severity and/or persistence, of unreasonably interfering with an individual or group's educational or work performance or that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational, work, or living environment.

Discriminatory harassment includes but is not limited to: epithets or slurs; negative stereotyping; denigrating jokes; and display or circulation in the working, learning, or living environment (including electronic transmission) of written or graphic material.
View full policy (PDF, 128 KB).

Yellow light: Residence Hall Handbook: Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment 12-13

Students will not engage in any form of harassment, intimidation, threat, or abuse (whether verbal or written, physical or psychological, direct or implied) which is intended for a specific member or group within the community. This includes (but is not limited to) harassment in person, via telephone or voicemail, postal mail, forms of electronic communication (e.g. email, Facebook, other web communities), or having someone else do so on your behalf. Such behavior or actions, whether done intentionally or with reckless disregard, are not permitted in the residence halls. "It was just a joke" or "I was intoxicated" are not acceptable excuses. Students are responsible for their behavior and that of their guest(s) at all times.
View full policy (PDF, 74 KB).

Yellow light: Policy Against Harassment In Employment Practices and in Student Academic and Campus Life 12-13

Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute s sexual harassment when: ... 3. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's performance on the job or in the classroom; or

4. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or study environment for an individual or group of individuals.
Sexual harassment may also consist of unwanted physical contact, requests for sexual favors, visual displays of degrading sexual images, sexually suggestive conduct, or remarks of a sexual nature.
View full policy (PDF, 128 KB).

Posting Policies

Yellow light: Barnard College Posting Policy 12-13

What content is not permitted on my posting? Profanity, vulgarity, or other offensive language not conducive to the educational environment may not be included on postings. Any postings that have inappropriate and/or derogatory information directed to one specific member, or group of members, of the Barnard community will not be tolerated.
View full policy (PDF, 83 KB).

Policies on Bias and Hate Speech

Red light: Residence Hall Handbook: Bias-Related Actions 12-13

Students will not participate in any behavior which includes language and/or behaviors which demonstrate bias against another person or persons because of, (but not limited to) others’ actual or perceived color, disability, ethnicity, gender, national origin, physical appearance, race, religion, and/or sexual orientation.
View full policy (PDF, 44 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: Student Handbook: Rules for Maintenance of Public Order 12-13

In recognition of the rights of freedom of speech and assembly, peaceful protest or demonstration by any member of the Barnard community, in or on College property, is permitted.
View full policy (PDF, 78 KB).

Green light policy: Policy Against Harassment In Employment Practices and in Student Academic and Campus Life 12-13

[S]tudents are encouraged to openly express their views and opinions.
View full policy (PDF, 128 KB).

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The speech codes and policies above were last fully checked via internet and other research means by FIRE in October 2012. 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.