Red Light School

New York 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 John E Sexton
New York University
70 Washington Square South
New York, NY 10012
212-998-2345
john.sexton@nyu.edu
Website: http://www.nyu.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)

Red light: Sexual Assault, Harassment and Other Forms of Sexual Misconduct 12-13

Sexual Harassment: Within New York University, sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome conduct of
a sexual nature. It includes sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, non-verbal, or
physical conduct of a sexual nature when:
* Submission to or rejection of the conduct is either an explicit or implicit term or condition of
employment, basis for participation or advancement in an academic program, or basis for participation
in a University activity or benefit
* Such conduct creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work, academic or residential environment;
* Such conduct otherwise adversely affects employment or academic opportunities.
Examples of sexual harassment include, but are not limited to: Verbal abuse or hostile behavior such as insulting, teasing,
mocking, degrading or ridiculing another person or group; Unwelcome or inappropriate physical contact, comments, questions, advances, jokes, epithets or demands; ... Displays or electronic transmission of derogatory, demeaning or
hostile materials ....
View full policy (PDF, 400 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Yellow light: Policy on Responsible Use of NYU Computers and Data 12-13

Acceptance of authorization to use NYU computer and data resources establishes an obligation to: ... behave with civil regard for other members of the NYU community and of the wider community on the Internet.
View full policy (PDF, 245 KB).

Policies on Bias and Hate Speech

Red light: Bias, Harassment, and Discrimination Compliance 12-13

Any member of the university community who engages in an act of intolerance directed at an individual, or a group of individuals, on the basis of the actual or perceived race, color, gender, national origin, age, sex or sexual orientation, religion, disability, or marital or parental status of the person/s will be held accountable for violating the social integrity of the University community and the specific policies which underscore those values.
View full policy (PDF, 145 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: University Policy on Student Conduct 12-13

The University is
a community where the means of seeking to
establish truth are open discussion and free
discourse. It thrives on debate and dissent.
Free inquiry, free expression, and free association
are indispensable to the purposes of the University, and must be protected as a matter
of academic freedom within the University,
quite apart from the question of constitutional
rights.
View full policy (PDF, 87 KB).

Green light policy: Guidelines Regarding Protest and Dissent 12-13

New York University is committed to maintaining an environment where open, vigorous debate and speech can occur.
View full policy (PDF, 204 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 August 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.