Red Light School

Fordham 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: Private
Federal Circuit: Second Circuit
Head of Institution: President Joseph M McShane, S.J.
Fordham University
107 Administration Building (South)
441 E. Fordham Road
Bronx, NY 10458
718-817-3000
Website: http://www.fordham.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: Resident Handbook: Community Standards, Policies, and Procedures- Harassment 12-13

All students and University employees are to be treated with respect.
Harassment of another person, whether physical, sexual, or verbal, either oral,
written, or online, is not permitted. Use of abusive language, including, but not
limited to, profanity and threats or physical contact are considered harassment and
will be dealt with severely as violations of both Residential Life and University
policies.
View full policy (PDF, 45 KB).

Yellow light: Student Handbook: Bullying 12-13

Bullying is defined as the repeated, unreasonable actions of a person (or group of persons) directed towards another person or group of persons, which are intended to hurt, intimidate, degrade, humiliate, and/or undermine. Such actions create a risk to the health or safety of the University community. Bullying can take many forms, including, but not limited to, verbal (teasing, threats, naming-calling), social (spreading rumors, leaving people out on purpose), and physical (hitting, punching, shoving). Bullying can also occur through the Internet, mobile phones, and other digital technologies. Bullying behavior creates feelings of defenselessness, fear, and injustice and undermines a person’s right to dignity. The University strictly prohibits bullying.���  Anyone found to engage in bullying behavior may be subject to disciplinary action.
View full policy (PDF, 37 KB).

Red light: Student Handbook: Title IX Grievance Procedures for Complaints of Sex Discrimination (including Sexual Harassment), Sexual Assault and Violence, Stalking and Domestic Violence 12-13

It is a violation of this policy for any member of the University community to engage in sexual harassment. 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 is sufficiently pervasive, offensive or abusive to have the purpose or reasonable effect of interfering with an individual’s work or educational performance, or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or educational environment.
Examples of sexual harassment include, but are not limited to: ... unwelcome verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature which an individual regards as undesirable or offensive, including, but not necessarily limited to, sexually explicit jokes, statements and questions or remarks about sexual activity or experience.
View full policy (PDF, 260 KB).

Green light: Student Handbook: The University Code of Conduct 12-13

Harassment of another person, whether physical, sexual, or verbal, either oral or written.
View full policy (PDF, 46 KB).

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

Yellow light: Student Handbook: Speakers Policy 12-13

[E]xpression that is indecent or is grossly obscene or grossly offensive on
matters such as race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or sexual preference is inconsistent
with accepted norms of conduct at the University.
View full policy (PDF, 59 KB).

Free Speech Zones

Yellow light: Student Handbook: Demonstration Policy 12-13

Organizers and participants must follow these guidelines in planning and conducting
pickets and other demonstration events: ... A member of the Fordham University community must be designated Organizer/Liaison for the event.
The Organizer/Liaison must meet with the Dean of Students to coordinate the planned event and is
encouraged to schedule this meeting well in advance.
View full policy (PDF, 89 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Red light: Student Handbook: Information Technology Usage 12-13

IT resources and services cannot be assessed or used in the following manner: ... Using any IT resource or communication services, including e-mail or other means to intimidate, insult, embarrass and harass others; to interfere unreasonably with an individual's work, research or educational performance; or to create a hostile or offensive working or learning environment.
View full policy (PDF, 67 KB).

Other Speech Codes

Yellow light: Student Handbook: Advertisements in Student Publications 12-13

Advertisements must be legal, truthful, and compatible with the values and mission of the University as a Jesuit, Catholic institution (concern for each student, respect for individuals and groups of people, dignity of the human person).

To this end, the University prohibits the publication of ads containing or providing sources for, but not limited to, sexual content (1-900 phone lines, strip clubs, web sites, etc.); alcohol consumption (bars, clubs, bartending schools, etc.); tobacco; reproductive services (abortion, birth control, sperm or egg donation, etc.); the promotion of hate against any group; illegal activities; any other subject matter which, after discussion and review with University officials, is determined to be inconsistent with the values and mission of the University.
View full policy (PDF, 42 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: Student Handbook: Demonstration Policy 12-13

By its very nature, the University is a place where ideas and opinions are formulated and exchanged. Each member of the University has a right to freely express his or her positions and to work for their acceptance whether he/she assents to or dissents from existing situations in the University or society.
View full policy (PDF, 89 KB).

Green light policy: Student Handbook: Fordham University Mission Statement 12-13

Fordham strives for excellence in research and teaching and guarantees the freedom of inquiry required by rigorous thinking and the quest for truth.
View full policy (PDF, 601 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 November 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.